Colchian Amphorae of the Early Byzantine Period from Gonio-Apsaros: Results of Archaeometric Research

Abstract

A number of issues concerning the history and archaeology of the Southeastern Black Sea region during the Early Byzantine period remain highly relevant and relatively understudied to this day. Although a rich scientific heritage has been established regarding the monuments and material culture of this period in the region, a variety of topics - particularly from an archaeological perspective are still only partially processed or entirely unexamined. Archaeological excavations are ongoing at certain sites (Gonio-Apsaros, Petra-Tsikhisdziri), and the vast majority of the archaeological material discovered there has been studied primarily using traditional archaeological methodologies (the topo-chronological approach and macroscopic analysis). The same can be said for Colchian amphorae of the Early Byzantine period. For the first time, based on archaeometric, chemical, and petrographic research, this paper provides a comprehensi­ve study of the Colchian amphorae discovered on the territory of the Gonio-Apsaros fortress.