A contribution to the study of Gnathia ware from Issa

Gnathia ware was found at 38 sites on the eastern Adriatic coast and its immediate interior. Nonetheless, the most vessels of this pottery type were found in Antique-era Issa. The high number and specific characteristics in the shape and ornamentation on the vessels from Issa have led to the hypothesis on local Issa production of this pottery type. Branko Kirigin first stated this hypothesis on the basis of study of the tomb inventory from the necropolis at Martvilo in Vis, dividing the Gnathia vessels from Issa into four phases. Using stylistic methods for the attribution of painters and groups, analysis of morphology on all vessels thus far published in the eastern Adriatic, the author compared new knowledge on this pottery type with Kirigin's theses. She also offers a development of the typology of the Issa Gnathia ware vessels inside a chronological framework from the mid-third to the end of the second century BC.