AMPHORAE OF DRESSEL 24 SIMILIS TYPE IN THE CENTRAL AEGEAN AREA (CHIOS–ERYTHRAI–KYME)

In memoriam Vivien SwanAn exhaustive presentation of one of the most important Chian amphora workshops that manufactured amphorae of Dressel 24 similis type, as well as ampullae, unguentaria, basins and funnels (vessels and equipment related to the olive oil industry), is followed by an analysis of the origin and evolution of this type since the Hellenistic period in the Chios–Erythrai–Kyme area. These discoveries bring to light the organisation of the amphorae workshops in this region, the same type of kiln being in use until the present day. Petrological and chemical analysis of the Chian and Erythraian fabrics, together with the identification of some Chian Dressel 24 similis amphora stamps on the lower Danube and Pontic market, also sheds new light on the flourishing olive oil industry of the central Aegean area during the Early Roman period.