Керамика и общество в древна Тракия (VI–IV в. пр.Хр.)

Ceramic artefacts offer important clues for the society and economy of ancient Thrace. This study considers the three most important pottery categories in ancient Thrace between the 6th and 4th c. BC – local wheel made monochrome pottery, imported trade amphorae and Greek tableware, offering some new insights and perspectives. The monochrome pottery with its universality and common repertory demonstrates the cultural homogeneity of the Thracian tribal communities. Despite its predominantly decentralised production targeting small territories, it was widely traded and represented an important element in the creation of a sustainable internal market. The monochrome vases were presumably for common use, but some specially designed articles, ostensibly intended for elite consumers, are also attested. Other major ceramic commercial products like transport amphorae containing different commodities and Greek tableware were evidently imported in exchange for the exported agricultural produce, livestock, raw materials or other goods. They reached their Thracian end users as a result of trade deals which contributed to the advancement of a monetary market. A definite preference of the Thracian consumers for the commodities in amphorae over the fine table wares can be established, the latter being mostly associated with the aristocratic elite and other affluent Thracians. The evidence for ceramic production and trade implies that from the 6th c. BC onwards the social structure of the Thracian population included distinct groups of artisans and merchants. A serious differentiation in regard to the economic means and the level of consumer living standards evidently existed among the wider social strata.