The ‘SOS’ Amphora

Abstract

I Discuss here some features of the type of storage amphora dubbed ‘SOS’, a large semi-decorated container in use from the later eighth to the first half of the sixth century B.C., and found at a large number of sites around the Mediterranean and beyond. In particular, the evidence of clay analyses carried out at the British School by Richard Jones will be adduced to confirm the Attic origin of the majority of these vases, while other centres of production will be reviewed. I also treat briefly the shape and decoration of the type and the inscriptions which the vases often carry. Other scholars are working on different aspects of the SOS amphora and I have therefore restricted my comments here; similarly, I do not treat at length material which is in course of publication, leaving closer discussion of dating especially to the excavators concerned.