Patara’S Late Roman–Early Byzantine Ceramics From North Africa In The Light Of Hurmalik Bath Finds

In the ancient city of Patara in Lycia, the Hurmalık Bath excavations carried out between 2005-2008. A large number of ceramic finds were recovered dated to the Late Roman-Early Byzantine Period. Among them, is noteworthy a group of North African origin. Amphorae, red slip pottery and clay lamps were found in samples of three main groups. Grouping samples were evaluated under 7 amphora’s forms, 10 red-slip fine ceramic’s forms and 2 red-slipped North African lamp’s forms. Detected ceramic artifacts thought that might be produced in workshops of Central Tunisia (Byzacena) and Northern Tunisia (Zeugitane). Particularly, the production area of Karthago in Northern Tunisia (Zeugitane) drew attention to similarities. African pottery is widespread in the Western Mediterranean and well studied. In Anatolia, this same group is less attested and has not been studied in one large group so far. Data on ceramic samples from the excavations of Hurmalik shows that the port city of Patara has continued to play a role in maritime trade as with North Africa throughout the Early Byzantine Period.