The Byzantine Amphorae on the Territory of Golden Horde State

Abstract

The authors study the typology of amphorae produced in the Byzantine Empire and on the territories that preserved Byzantine traditions, as well as the chronology of their arrival on the territory of the Golden Horde State. Five production centers are identified, the production of each one constituting a separate group. These five groups of amphorae constitute more than 99% of all finds of trade containers on the territory of the Golden Horde. Each group is provided with a brief characterization of technology and visually identifiable features, and information is offered about the specific number of finds and changes in the quantities of delivered vessels at different chronological stages. A brief review of opinions about the place of production of these groups of amphorae is collected. The vessels from the first group (“Trebizond” ware), taking into account the written accounts and indirect evidence, should be attributed to the production centers on the territory of the Trebizond Empire. They constitute the absolute majority of all finds. Their share in the ceramic complex gradually decreases until the middle of the 14 th century. In the 1350 s, there was a sharp decline in the number of finds, but in the next decade, their level of supply was restored. The second group of amphorae (“Trillia” ware) exported through the port of Trillia were the products of the production centers from the region of Nicaea. This group was imported in small quantities in the 1260—1320 s. The third group of amphorae is known in the scientific literature as the “SSS stamp ware” amphorae. Within a short period of time (1240—1260 s) of their supply on the territory of Ulus Dzhochi, their quantity is numerically comparable with the amphorae of the Trebizond group. The fourth group of amphorae in the Golden Horde time has a characteristic feature — a concave bottom. The place of their production is not established. These amphorae were supplied until 1330. The last group is represented by large light clay vessels with loop-shaped handles on the shoulders, their characteristic feature being rope imprints on the body in the place of its maximum diameter. This type of amphorae was supplied to the territory of the Golden Horde in the first third of the 14th century.