Natalia Poulou | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (original) (raw)
Books by Natalia Poulou
Εἰκ. 3. Ἅγιος Γεώργιος στὸ Βουνὸ Κυθήρων. Τοποθέτηση καννάβων καὶ ὑποκαννάβων ἀνασκαφῆς. αἰώνα) κ... more Εἰκ. 3. Ἅγιος Γεώργιος στὸ Βουνὸ Κυθήρων. Τοποθέτηση καννάβων καὶ ὑποκαννάβων ἀνασκαφῆς. αἰώνα) καὶ πρώιμης ἑνετικῆς περιόδου (13ος−μέσα 15ου αἰ.). Τὰ ἐλάχιστα πρωιμό− τερα ὄστρακα, χρονολογούμενα κατὰ τὴ ρωμαϊκὴ περίοδο, παρουσιάζονται ἐπίσης στὸν κατάλογο.
Chapter in Book by Natalia Poulou
Θερμές ευχαριστίες για την παραχώρηση άδειας δημοσίευσης φωτογραφικού υλικού εκφράζονται στους πα... more Θερμές ευχαριστίες για την παραχώρηση άδειας δημοσίευσης φωτογραφικού υλικού εκφράζονται στους παρακάτω φορείς: Γενική διεύθυνση αρχαιοτήτων και Πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς, διεύθυνση Βυζαντινών και μεταβυζαντινών αρχαιοτήτων ύπουργείου Πολιτισμού (αθήνα), 13η εφορεία Βυζαντινών αρχαιοτήτων (ηράκλειο), 21η εφορεία Βυζαντινών αρχαιοτήτων (κέρκυρα), 28η εφορεία Βυζαντινών αρχαιοτήτων (Χανιά), Ινστιτούτο μεσογειακών Σπουδών (ρέθυμνο), Ιστορικό μουσείο κρήτης (ηράκλειο), μουσείο μπενάκη, αρχεία νεοελληνικής αρχιτεκτονικής (αθήνα), Βυζαντινό και Χριστιανικό μουσείο (αθήνα), Ashmolean Museum, Heberden Coin Room (οξφόρδη), Ι. μονή αγίου Ιωάννη (Πάτμος), Ι. μονή αγίας αικατερίνης (Σινά).
Papers by Natalia Poulou
ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΝΑ, Feb 2020
TWO BYZANTINE BATH-HOUSES AT PHILIPPI The research work carried out by the Aristotle University E... more TWO BYZANTINE BATH-HOUSES AT PHILIPPI The research work carried out by the Aristotle University Excavation at Philippi has brought to light two very interesting bathing establishments. The first was identified as a Roman balneum. To its south was constructed the Christian Octagon whose expansion to the north with the addition of a baptistery took over some parts of the balneum, which was reconfigured to accommodate these changes. Careful examination of the structural remains in the balneum’s area led us to a completely different interpretation of its history and its consecutive building phases. We thus propose that the balneum was replaced by a radically different bathing establishment. This new bathing complex we call bath A. In contrast to the previous opinion that saw a gradual alteration of balneum’s several spaces, we discern a radical shrinking of the original functional area together with a restructuring of its warm spaces. These transformations were part of its restructuring resulting from the creation of the nearby Octagon’s baptistery. Nevertheless, the warm spaces of bath A, as seen today, belong to a later building phase, when it had shrunk even more. It is probable that the building of the balneum came under the ownership of the Christian Octagon. The construction of the baptistery diminished but did not eliminate the bathing complex. In its place and adjacent to it a new bathing complex was created (bath A). Both were provided with water from cisterns that were created in the balneum’s former lukewarm spaces. Bath A was accessed not directly from the street (like the balneum). In a later phase, when it shrunk even more, access to it was through a door opening directly into the Octagon’s north porch, itself a later addition. Therefore, dating this later transformation of bath A, depends on the date of the Octagon’s northern atrium, which is put to the 9th century. Thus, we get a view of the time span of bath A’s function that extends well into the Middle Byzantine period. A second bathing establishment was unearthed in the area explored by the Aristotle University Excavation in the southern part of the insula known as that of the Hippodrome or that of the Glass Kiln. Initially the insula was covered by a building in the type of an urban upscale house with an atrium. Its structural history is quite complex and is connected to the overall transformations that altered radically Philippi’s cityscape. To its south a bathing complex was unearthed that we named bath B in order to distinguish it from that in the area of the balneum. Bath B is a relatively small structure with an ample apodyterium/cold space, which confirms its public character. Its scale, its layout and the findings in its area suggest a date for its construction at the end of the 7th/ early 8th century. In bath B we discern a second important building phase with only minor changes in the building’s function. The most important change was raising its floor surface (nearly 1 m. higher), a change we find in other parts of the area. The floor’s raising didn’t alter significantly the bath B. Other minor changes are the addition of a hot bathing tab and possibly the placing of the furnace’s opening (praefurnium). Moreover, the entrance to the bath’s apodyterium/ cold space was altered, a feature that reveals a significant alteration both for the bath itself but also for the space around it and the way they interacted. Dating this second phase is based on several finds that define the chronological context and the span of the function of bath B, that seems to extent as far as the 10th century: more specifically, a lead seal of an imperial horrearius (vasilikos horrearius) called Samonas in the 9th cent. and the ceramic finds that date to the same period (end of 8th / 9th cent.) and lead us to date this second phase to the beginning of the 10th century. We get a similar idea for the life span of bath A. The data of both establishments permit us to rethink the established notions for the continuation of life in the city. Philippi’s cityscape although transformed, retained its urban character well into the Middle Byzantine period, as attested by the continuous use of functions like the bathing complexes we have examined.
LAND, 2018
The article examines the context of a recently discovered double bath-house complex in Loutres, a... more The article examines the context of a recently discovered double bath-house complex in Loutres, a site near Mochlos on the north shore of eastern Crete. The excavators explore the broader questions posed by the finding, in connection to both its immediate surroundings and its wider periphery. Its relation to the site's geography, a ravine on the shore, forms the starting point to address issues regarding its original use as well as its later transformations. The enquiry leads into considering similar structures with different fates in the area and the connotations regarding their relationship to both the landscape and the settlements to which they belonged. The article goes on to discuss the general issues of the historic context of medieval Crete concerning both the archaeology and the information from the sources. It seems that long-held concepts about the abandonment of seaside settlements due to the so-called " Arab threat " are no longer valid. On the contrary, archaeology proves the continuity of the settlements of eastern Crete, both in Loutres and elsewhere. Moreover, the later use of the bath-houses in the area provides evidence for social changes after the 13th century impacting on both the landscape and its settlements.
Rome, Constantinople, and Newly-Converted Europe: Archaeological and Historical Evidence, Sep 2012
Abstract. Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological proble... more Abstract. Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological problems for its interpretation. The spread of Christianity across the Byzantine Empire has been mainly studied through research on monumental architecture and burial. Burial customs used in mainland Greece and the Aegean during the Early Byzantine period (4th-7th century) gradually move away from pagan funerary customs. In the archaeological record, we can see a movement of burials from the traditional extramural cemeteries towards the intramural area, due
to a gradual preference for burials in close proximity to Christian churches. Christian burials adopt a definite orientation and position of the body, while deposition of grave goods gradually
vanishes. Christian symbols usually appear only as depicted images, either on the walls of the graves, or on oil-lamps and other objects which were used during the funerary ritual. In the majority of the cases, when such symbols are not present, the distinction between pagan and Christian graves may be difficult or even impossible. During the traditional period, the so-called “Dark Ages” (7th-9th century), the new burial customs have been fully adopted in the urban centres, where Christianity has been established. However, the predominance of evidence of Byzantine urban vs. rural cemeteries in the archaeological record may produce a distorted image concerning religious belief and mortuary practices. The present paper includes evidence from some urban and rural cemeteries, as well as from a Slavic
cemetery in Olympia, thus aiming to provide a varied picture of burial practices.
Burial habits of the Middle Byzantine period (10th-12th century) are archaeologically invisible to a high degree. Middle Byzantine burials often lack satisfactory dating methods; this, in combination with poor publication of graves of this period, creates problems in the discussion of the evolution of mortuary customs. Published cemeteries of this period show, however, a preference for the creation of cemeteries in abandoned urban areas (such as the ancient or Roman forum) and a tendency for burial inside churches. Usual burial finds of this period are ceramic vessels, jewellery, and coins. Crosses and reliquaries are rather rare, but they do appear in a few cases.
The present paper presents a number of well documented cemeteries of Byzantine Greece and discusses issues of interpretation and chronology. While many of these issues need further thorough research, it becomes apparent that comparison with evidence from other countries, both within and beyond the limits of the Byzantine Empire, can only enhance our understanding
of funerary tradition and practices.
In the recent years there has been an important increase in archaeological studies dealing with E... more In the recent years there has been an important increase in archaeological studies dealing with Early Byzantine pottery. The identification of local productions, imports, and rarely of pottery workshops led to a better understanding of the organization of trade and exchange relationships as well as the network of the sea routes in the Aegean.
In the present study are examined certain classes of imported and local pottery dating from the end of the 6th to the 8th century. More specifically, the focus is on good quality vessels with red slip (Late Roman terra sigillata), late examples of cooking pots, early examples of glazed vessels from Constantinople, and amphorae. The study of ceramics produced during the 7th or even the early 8th century or of new types emerging at the time leads to a better acquaintance with the Middle Ages of Byzantium and allows a closer look into the sea routes.
The integrated study of archaeological data and historical sources indicates the importance of the coastal and island settlements for the sea trade and the communication with the byzantine territories in the west during the 7th century. Moreover, it stresses the effort of the central administration to reinforce and protect the islands during the 8th century in order to deal effectively with the Arab menace.
(Errata: p. 127, Antonino Di Vita)
Εἰκ. 3. Ἅγιος Γεώργιος στὸ Βουνὸ Κυθήρων. Τοποθέτηση καννάβων καὶ ὑποκαννάβων ἀνασκαφῆς. αἰώνα) κ... more Εἰκ. 3. Ἅγιος Γεώργιος στὸ Βουνὸ Κυθήρων. Τοποθέτηση καννάβων καὶ ὑποκαννάβων ἀνασκαφῆς. αἰώνα) καὶ πρώιμης ἑνετικῆς περιόδου (13ος−μέσα 15ου αἰ.). Τὰ ἐλάχιστα πρωιμό− τερα ὄστρακα, χρονολογούμενα κατὰ τὴ ρωμαϊκὴ περίοδο, παρουσιάζονται ἐπίσης στὸν κατάλογο.
Θερμές ευχαριστίες για την παραχώρηση άδειας δημοσίευσης φωτογραφικού υλικού εκφράζονται στους πα... more Θερμές ευχαριστίες για την παραχώρηση άδειας δημοσίευσης φωτογραφικού υλικού εκφράζονται στους παρακάτω φορείς: Γενική διεύθυνση αρχαιοτήτων και Πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς, διεύθυνση Βυζαντινών και μεταβυζαντινών αρχαιοτήτων ύπουργείου Πολιτισμού (αθήνα), 13η εφορεία Βυζαντινών αρχαιοτήτων (ηράκλειο), 21η εφορεία Βυζαντινών αρχαιοτήτων (κέρκυρα), 28η εφορεία Βυζαντινών αρχαιοτήτων (Χανιά), Ινστιτούτο μεσογειακών Σπουδών (ρέθυμνο), Ιστορικό μουσείο κρήτης (ηράκλειο), μουσείο μπενάκη, αρχεία νεοελληνικής αρχιτεκτονικής (αθήνα), Βυζαντινό και Χριστιανικό μουσείο (αθήνα), Ashmolean Museum, Heberden Coin Room (οξφόρδη), Ι. μονή αγίου Ιωάννη (Πάτμος), Ι. μονή αγίας αικατερίνης (Σινά).
ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΝΑ, Feb 2020
TWO BYZANTINE BATH-HOUSES AT PHILIPPI The research work carried out by the Aristotle University E... more TWO BYZANTINE BATH-HOUSES AT PHILIPPI The research work carried out by the Aristotle University Excavation at Philippi has brought to light two very interesting bathing establishments. The first was identified as a Roman balneum. To its south was constructed the Christian Octagon whose expansion to the north with the addition of a baptistery took over some parts of the balneum, which was reconfigured to accommodate these changes. Careful examination of the structural remains in the balneum’s area led us to a completely different interpretation of its history and its consecutive building phases. We thus propose that the balneum was replaced by a radically different bathing establishment. This new bathing complex we call bath A. In contrast to the previous opinion that saw a gradual alteration of balneum’s several spaces, we discern a radical shrinking of the original functional area together with a restructuring of its warm spaces. These transformations were part of its restructuring resulting from the creation of the nearby Octagon’s baptistery. Nevertheless, the warm spaces of bath A, as seen today, belong to a later building phase, when it had shrunk even more. It is probable that the building of the balneum came under the ownership of the Christian Octagon. The construction of the baptistery diminished but did not eliminate the bathing complex. In its place and adjacent to it a new bathing complex was created (bath A). Both were provided with water from cisterns that were created in the balneum’s former lukewarm spaces. Bath A was accessed not directly from the street (like the balneum). In a later phase, when it shrunk even more, access to it was through a door opening directly into the Octagon’s north porch, itself a later addition. Therefore, dating this later transformation of bath A, depends on the date of the Octagon’s northern atrium, which is put to the 9th century. Thus, we get a view of the time span of bath A’s function that extends well into the Middle Byzantine period. A second bathing establishment was unearthed in the area explored by the Aristotle University Excavation in the southern part of the insula known as that of the Hippodrome or that of the Glass Kiln. Initially the insula was covered by a building in the type of an urban upscale house with an atrium. Its structural history is quite complex and is connected to the overall transformations that altered radically Philippi’s cityscape. To its south a bathing complex was unearthed that we named bath B in order to distinguish it from that in the area of the balneum. Bath B is a relatively small structure with an ample apodyterium/cold space, which confirms its public character. Its scale, its layout and the findings in its area suggest a date for its construction at the end of the 7th/ early 8th century. In bath B we discern a second important building phase with only minor changes in the building’s function. The most important change was raising its floor surface (nearly 1 m. higher), a change we find in other parts of the area. The floor’s raising didn’t alter significantly the bath B. Other minor changes are the addition of a hot bathing tab and possibly the placing of the furnace’s opening (praefurnium). Moreover, the entrance to the bath’s apodyterium/ cold space was altered, a feature that reveals a significant alteration both for the bath itself but also for the space around it and the way they interacted. Dating this second phase is based on several finds that define the chronological context and the span of the function of bath B, that seems to extent as far as the 10th century: more specifically, a lead seal of an imperial horrearius (vasilikos horrearius) called Samonas in the 9th cent. and the ceramic finds that date to the same period (end of 8th / 9th cent.) and lead us to date this second phase to the beginning of the 10th century. We get a similar idea for the life span of bath A. The data of both establishments permit us to rethink the established notions for the continuation of life in the city. Philippi’s cityscape although transformed, retained its urban character well into the Middle Byzantine period, as attested by the continuous use of functions like the bathing complexes we have examined.
LAND, 2018
The article examines the context of a recently discovered double bath-house complex in Loutres, a... more The article examines the context of a recently discovered double bath-house complex in Loutres, a site near Mochlos on the north shore of eastern Crete. The excavators explore the broader questions posed by the finding, in connection to both its immediate surroundings and its wider periphery. Its relation to the site's geography, a ravine on the shore, forms the starting point to address issues regarding its original use as well as its later transformations. The enquiry leads into considering similar structures with different fates in the area and the connotations regarding their relationship to both the landscape and the settlements to which they belonged. The article goes on to discuss the general issues of the historic context of medieval Crete concerning both the archaeology and the information from the sources. It seems that long-held concepts about the abandonment of seaside settlements due to the so-called " Arab threat " are no longer valid. On the contrary, archaeology proves the continuity of the settlements of eastern Crete, both in Loutres and elsewhere. Moreover, the later use of the bath-houses in the area provides evidence for social changes after the 13th century impacting on both the landscape and its settlements.
Rome, Constantinople, and Newly-Converted Europe: Archaeological and Historical Evidence, Sep 2012
Abstract. Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological proble... more Abstract. Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological problems for its interpretation. The spread of Christianity across the Byzantine Empire has been mainly studied through research on monumental architecture and burial. Burial customs used in mainland Greece and the Aegean during the Early Byzantine period (4th-7th century) gradually move away from pagan funerary customs. In the archaeological record, we can see a movement of burials from the traditional extramural cemeteries towards the intramural area, due
to a gradual preference for burials in close proximity to Christian churches. Christian burials adopt a definite orientation and position of the body, while deposition of grave goods gradually
vanishes. Christian symbols usually appear only as depicted images, either on the walls of the graves, or on oil-lamps and other objects which were used during the funerary ritual. In the majority of the cases, when such symbols are not present, the distinction between pagan and Christian graves may be difficult or even impossible. During the traditional period, the so-called “Dark Ages” (7th-9th century), the new burial customs have been fully adopted in the urban centres, where Christianity has been established. However, the predominance of evidence of Byzantine urban vs. rural cemeteries in the archaeological record may produce a distorted image concerning religious belief and mortuary practices. The present paper includes evidence from some urban and rural cemeteries, as well as from a Slavic
cemetery in Olympia, thus aiming to provide a varied picture of burial practices.
Burial habits of the Middle Byzantine period (10th-12th century) are archaeologically invisible to a high degree. Middle Byzantine burials often lack satisfactory dating methods; this, in combination with poor publication of graves of this period, creates problems in the discussion of the evolution of mortuary customs. Published cemeteries of this period show, however, a preference for the creation of cemeteries in abandoned urban areas (such as the ancient or Roman forum) and a tendency for burial inside churches. Usual burial finds of this period are ceramic vessels, jewellery, and coins. Crosses and reliquaries are rather rare, but they do appear in a few cases.
The present paper presents a number of well documented cemeteries of Byzantine Greece and discusses issues of interpretation and chronology. While many of these issues need further thorough research, it becomes apparent that comparison with evidence from other countries, both within and beyond the limits of the Byzantine Empire, can only enhance our understanding
of funerary tradition and practices.
In the recent years there has been an important increase in archaeological studies dealing with E... more In the recent years there has been an important increase in archaeological studies dealing with Early Byzantine pottery. The identification of local productions, imports, and rarely of pottery workshops led to a better understanding of the organization of trade and exchange relationships as well as the network of the sea routes in the Aegean.
In the present study are examined certain classes of imported and local pottery dating from the end of the 6th to the 8th century. More specifically, the focus is on good quality vessels with red slip (Late Roman terra sigillata), late examples of cooking pots, early examples of glazed vessels from Constantinople, and amphorae. The study of ceramics produced during the 7th or even the early 8th century or of new types emerging at the time leads to a better acquaintance with the Middle Ages of Byzantium and allows a closer look into the sea routes.
The integrated study of archaeological data and historical sources indicates the importance of the coastal and island settlements for the sea trade and the communication with the byzantine territories in the west during the 7th century. Moreover, it stresses the effort of the central administration to reinforce and protect the islands during the 8th century in order to deal effectively with the Arab menace.
(Errata: p. 127, Antonino Di Vita)
Natalia Poulou-Papadimitriou, Eleni Nodarou and Vassilis Kilikoglou (eds.), LRCW4. Archaeology and Archaeometry. The Mediterranean: a market without frontiers, Mar 2014
The Pythagoras II project was undertaken by N. Poulou-Papadimitriou in 2005 in order to explore t... more The Pythagoras II project was undertaken by N. Poulou-Papadimitriou in 2005 in order to explore trade routes in the Aegean from the 5th to the 9th c. AD through the systematic study, recording and archaeometric analysis of transport amphorae. The project was funded by the European Union and the Research Committee of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The Cretan case involved four sites and ca. 500 pottery samples analyzed by thin section petrography. This study allowed us to establish local pottery sequences, identify imports and revisit issues of typology and chronology for the vessels studied. Most of all we were able to trace routes of pottery distribution on- and off-island and examine the place of Crete as a nodal point in a broader eastern Mediterranean commercial network. In this paper we present the preliminary results of this project.
“Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological problems for its interpretation” , 2012
The present paper studies the Byzantine belt buckles found in archaeological context on different... more The present paper studies the Byzantine belt buckles found in archaeological context on different sites in Crete. The data collected in the 34 known pieces (6 types of rigid and 3 types of articulated buckles) provides new insights on the date and distribution of the buckles, on their users and, more generally, on the daily life in the 7th-9th centuries.
In 1995, during a rescue excavation in the east of the village of Kardamaina (Kos Island) in the ... more In 1995, during a rescue excavation in the east of the village of Kardamaina (Kos Island) in the site of “Tsoukalaria” or “Kaminia”, a pottery kiln was excavated. This paper presents the products of the kiln, amphorae of two types (imitation of LR1 amphora and globular “Byzantine” amphora). Their production in the same center is of a great interest; namely, the study of the globular “Byzantine” amphora, a common transport vessel during the 7th and the 8th century in the Aegean, will help us understand commercial exchanges within this region during the transitional period of Byzantium.
Les fouilles menées de 1987de à 1995 la côte N.E. de la Crète, ont mis au jour entre autre un mat... more Les fouilles menées de 1987de à 1995 la côte N.E. de la Crète, ont mis au jour entre autre un matériel céramique très important. L'étude de ce matériel, datant de la fin du VI e jusqu' au début du IX e s., nous a permis d'identifier le genre des céramiques utilisées pendant la période étudiée, de dresser une typologie concernant les vases trouvés à Pseira, et enfin de mieux connaître, par un examen macroscopique, la céramique produite localement, dans des ateliers de la Crète orientale ou centrale, ainsi que celle importée des sites de la Méditerranée Orientale. Dans la dernière phase de l'étude, nous avons pu poser des questions plus concrètes concernant les productions locales et les importations, les imitations des types très répandus ainsi que les techniques de production de certains types de céramique. Étant donné l'absence de découverte des ateliers de cette période dans la région, nous avons effectué, avec la collaboration de MacDonald Laboratory de INSTAP et de sa directrice Mme E. Nodarou, des analyses pétrographiques sur les tessons des vases des différents types. Les premiers résultats confirment nos hypothèses et donnent des réponses concernant la production céramique crétoise, la circulation des produits par voie maritime en Méditerranée orientale et, enfin, nous aident à percevoir plus clairement certains aspects de la vie quotidienne dans une des provinces byzantines pendant le VII e et VIII e siècle.
The 6th International Conference on Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Me... more The 6th International Conference on Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean: Archaeology and Archaeometry (LRCW 6) will be held in Agrigento (Sicily, Italy) from Tuesday 24th to Saturday 27th of May 2017. On Sunday 28th May there will be an opportunity for a post-congress excursion to Villa del Casale near Piazza Armerina (Enna).
After Barcelona (2002), Aix-en-Provence (2005), Parma-Pisa (2008), Thessaloniki (2011) and Alexandria (2014), Agrigento will host the conference organized by the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples, in collaboration with the University of Palermo and Soprintendenza of Agrigento.
The LRCW 6 Conference will comprise oral and poster presentations of Late Roman pottery found in the Mediterranean region.
Abstracts of 300 words maximum should be submitted to the conference address (lrcw6conference@gmail.com) in Word format including: title (in capitals), name(s), institution, email address of the author(s), and 5 key-words. The abstracts will be evaluated by the Scientific Committee. The deadline for abstract submission is 30th September 2016.
The deadline for registration and payment of fees is 31 December 2016.