Classical and late Classical pottery from the sanctuary at Plakari, Karystos: First Report, Pharos 20 (2014). (original) (raw)

As of 2009 the Ephorate of Antiquities of Euboea (former 11th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities) has been working in collaboration with the VU University Amsterdam on a fieldwork and excavation project centring on the archaeological site of Plakari at Karystos in Southern Euboea. The earliest signs of occupation on the site date to the Final Neolithic period. During the Early Iron Age the site accommodated a cult place that dates back to the 11th century BC. Based on the study of finds, cultic activities on the site seem to have continued in later periods too. The ceramic finds discussed in the article were found during the excavation seasons of 2011 and 2012 mainly on the floor layers of a small building (Building A) in the site. A number of representative vases and lamps are presented in the article. They are black-glazed, banded and plain oinochoai, jugs, skyphoi, cups, one-handlers and handleless bowls, one fish-plate, a lid with relief decoration, one lekythos and one incense burner, as well as some plain lamps. A number of the vases bear graffiti that have been examined in the article as bearing witness to cultic and sympotic activities performed in the site. The study of the assemblage aims to assess dating of Building A, as well as to ascertain some of the traits of the local ceramic production of the 5th and 4th centuries BC, taking in view influences South Euboean pottery workshops appear to have received from Athens, Chalcis, Eretria and other regions.