Late 4th Century B.C. Pottery Assemblages from Patara

Recent investigations at Patara reveal that the city played a crucial role as a communication node during the formation of the Hellenistic era. As one of the most important cities of ancient Lycia, Patara established by a harbor in the basin of the Xanthos river valley which was an essential trade hub for several inland communities, including Xanthos, Letoon, Pinara, and Sidyma. Since 2013, excavations have brought to light the foundations of a garrison bastion and numerous houses at the Tepecik settlement of Patara. The five excavated areas revealed architectural and ceramic remains that illuminate the development of the city and the surrounding region. Among these are two rooms, two semi-open kitchen areas, and a pantry. All five areas were destroyed by fire simultaneously and contained in situ contexts. Among the finds are pyramidal loom weights, lead and terracotta figurines, a large number of metal objects, as well as pottery. The ceramic repertoire includes black-slipped kantharoi, skyphoi, echinus bowls, olpai, rolled rim plates, mortaria, jugs, chytrai, and transport amphorae. Besides some Attic imports, the ceramics can be divided into two main groups: regional and locally produced fine wares, including some from Rhodes. The analysis of the contexts indicates that the destruction of the buildings occurred between 336–310 B.C. Thus, the ceramics from the Tepecik settlement presented here offer a scientifically sound basis for the ceramic chronology and typology of the late 4th c. B.C. Xanthos Valley, which to date has been hardly investigated in a scientific manner.