Late Roman pottery from Andriake and Myra

Myra, one of the metropolises of Middle Lycia, has managed to preserve its importance throughout history. In particular, with its Andriake port that has been planned as a separate settlement and as it became known to be the city of Saint Nicholas in parallel with the spreading of Christianity, it has raised and maintained its commercial and religious importance respectively. The archaeological excavations, which started in Myra and its port, Andriake in 2009, are still being carried on continuously. Ceramics are among the most densely captured finds in these excavations. The Late Roman pottery that have been founded in Myra and Andriake form the subject of this study. A total of 332 ceramics pieces have been catalogued. These ceramics have been evaluated under two main topics, being Fine (Quality) and Coarse Wares, according to their intended use. Fine (Quality) wares have been divided into three sub-topics as African, Late Roman C and Late Roman D Ware. While the densest group among Fine (Quality) wares is Late Roman D Ware, the group with least forms is Late Roman C Ware. A different form, which is thought to be belonging to Hayes Form 91 group, has been detected within African Red Slip Ware and it has been named Hayes Form 91 Imitation. It is seen that fine wares have been used in Myra and its port, Andriake beginning from the 2nd century AD until the second half of the 7th century. Coarse wares have been examined under three topics, being cooking (pot, casserole, pan), serving (jugs, table amphora) and storage (pithos) and other late Roman pottery (lid, brazier, flask). The densest group among these ceramics is cooking wares. Coarse wares have been continuously used in the city between 3rd and 7th centuries. Having examined the Myra and Andriake Late Roman pottery, it is seen that the community kept up with the fashion of the period, had no problems in reaching the fine wares and were in a well-situated position. Different forms and variety of pots among the cooking ware and density of deep pans are estimated as indicators of the community's eating habits which densely includes casseroles. It is set forth that imitation forms have been produced in Myra having been influenced by various regions and cities. It is known that Myra is in close relations with the nearby cities especially, considering its import and export ceramic forms. Apart from these, it is seen that the city has quite close commercial relations with Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and the Levant.