Macroscopic Investigation of Early Iron Age Fine Ware Fabrics from Kalapodi

Pottery Research in Kalapodi, seasons 2024 and 2025

Abstract

The Early Iron Age fine ware pottery from excavations at the sanctuary of Kalapodi, Phthiotis, is subjected to an integrated programme of combined macroscopic, petrographic and elemental analyses. The investigation of fabrics is part of the holistic study of Protogeometric and Geometric fine wares and aims to inform questions related to ceramic technology, production, circulation, and consumption. Both fine wares of presumed local or regional provenance and imports are taken into consideration. The present paper gives an introductory account of the systematic macroscopic fabric classification applied during the 2024 and 2025 study seasons on ca. 9700 vessel individuals by visual examination of the fresh breaks with the aid of a ×10 hand lens. The macroscopic properties of 44 fabrics are presented in the form of a catalogue, which is illustrated by photographs taken from fresh breaks of 321 reference pieces. In addition to fabric features, the catalogue incorporates results from the typo-chronological examination of the vessel assemblage in order to present a preliminary assessment of each fabric’s typological and chronological range. A concluding commentary to the catalogue entries highlights noteworthy aspects in the assemblage of each fabric and – where possible – briefly refers to provenance issues. The present catalogue of fabrics is the starting point for further analytical investigations which will be performed on the selection of reference pieces.