HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN UNGUENTARIA FROM THE NECROPOLIS OF TRALLEIS

Abstract

The material discussed here was found in the western necropolis area during the 2007 excavation cam- paign in Tralleis. According to the analysis of the findings, the western necropolis was in use from the late 4th century B.C. until the second half of the 4th century A. D. The earliest unguentaria noted from the Tralleis dates from around the third quarter of the 4th century B.C. The clay of the Tralleis unguentaria always contains some amount of mica. Clay and slip colors vary between 2.5YR 7/4, 5YR 6/6 or 5YR 7/3-4 according to Munsell Catalogue. Form and work- manship reflect general characteristics of the Anatolian customs. Tralleis unguentaria are non-decorated and the majori- ty of them were not carefully made. All of them are handleless. Most of them have been found intact or only partially damaged. One of the most important forms in the classification is the fusiform unguentaria and they are similar to the western Anatolian examples with their characteristic features. Forms of these examples can also be compared with the finds from the other contemporary settlements and contexts. Most of them are similar to examples from the 1st and 2nd centuries B.C with their long, thin forms and spindle-shaped bodies. The second group consists of twelve bulbous unguentaria. The majority of these samples have long necks, rounded bodies, and flat bases. In terms of technique and form, all of these examples are Roman products. This type of unguentarium was commonly found in most of the Medi- terranean cities.