Early Hellenistic pottery from Phocaea Maltepe Tumulus

During the excavations in 1992 and 1994 at Maltepe Tumulus of Phocaea, a significant number of locally produced black glazed fine wares dating to the early Hellenistic period were discovered. Typological analysis of this class of pottery show close similarities with the common shape repertory attested at other Anatolian sites, especially Pergamon, Ephesos and Sardes. Close parallels are reminiscent of the relavant pottery excavated in the Athenian Agora, Corinth, the Greek islands, as well as Black Sea and Italy. Anatolian type of kantharos, hemispherical bowl, krater, bowl with both outturned and inturned rim, rounded and flattened rim plate and fish plate are the most common shapes. Among these shapes, kantharos, hemispherical bowls and kraters are decorated with West Slope decoration, which is characterized by decorative elements painted with white and pinkish clays. The common motifs of West Slope decoration are pendants, olive leaf and incised ivy leaf. The ceramics studied here show a chronological range between the 4th - 1st centuries B.C; however, the majority dates to the 3rd century B.C. Key Words: Phocaea, Maltepe Tumulus, Fine Ware, Early Hellenistic Period