Βελένης, Ζαχαριάδης 2011

// Excavation sets of lighting devices of Late Antiquity and the Byzantine
period from Thessaloniki and the surrounding region

// Lamps from Thessalonikis Agora
, // Georgios Velenis, Stavros Zachariadis
1989-1999

..1.
2.
3
16 . , , 95% , ,
.

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75% .
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3.
, 4 .,
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1.
1. .
1. Excavation in the Agora.
Most of the material is the result of systematic excavation carried out between 1989
and 1999 by the 16th Ephorate of Antiquities
in collaboration with the History & Archaeology Department of the Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki1. A considerable number of lamps
had also been retrieved from the site over the
preceding decades2.The material spans the period from the 3rd to the 16th c., and is remarkably
varied. Closed lamps account for roughly 95%
of the total, but there are also open lamps from
the Late Byzantine and Early Ottoman years.
Most of the familiar Late Roman types are
represented among the finds from the Agora,
either as imports or as imitations, probably
locally made. The main groups are lamps of
the Asia Minor and Attic types, which account for 75% of the whole. The remainder
is divided among vessels belonging typologically to such major production centres
as Tunisia, Samos, Palestine and Egypt3.
There are very few examples from earlier
than the 4th c. This is not unexpected, for the
public buildings in the Agora did not undergo
repeated extensive repairs and must have
been systematically cleaned, which would prevent the formation of deposits of finds from
, .
- 2001, 19-21. 2001, 153-156.
3
.. 2010.
4
- 2010, 192.
1
Funded by the Ministry of Culture, at the urging of the late Ioulia Vokotopoulou.
- 2001, 19-21; 2001, 153-156.
3
et al., in press.
1
183

5,

6. ,

,
13 14 .7.

.

.
this period. Also, the administrative buildings

were closed at night, which would reduce the
need for lighting4. After the 4th c., however,
the situation changes. That was the time when
the Agora stopped serving as the administrative centre of the city. Pottery workshops
took over the east wing5 and the piazza was
used for digging and working the clay6. In the
south wing, the areas adjacent to the Cryptoporticus continued to be occupied by shops,
as they would until the 13th or 14th c.7. The new
circumstances resulted in a sharp increase in
the number of lamps on the site, whether as
goods produced and sold there or as a means
of lighting the various shops and workshops.
Evidence of the first case lies in the quantity of apparently unused lamps found, along
with a number of clay moulds for clay lamps.

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8.
Making lamps
While this set of material does include a number of wheel-made lamps, most of the lamps
from the Agora are mould-made. Making a
lamp by this method requires a model, or patrix, from which a set of moulds are made, one
for the upper half of the vessel and one for the
lower. The patrix did not have to be specially
made any lamp could serve the purpose.
The lamp-maker filled the moulds with clay,
clamped the parts together, and the product
was ready for the next stages of the process
before firing. The holes for the handle had to
be filled separately, while frequently the clay
was applied in layers, for optimum reproduction of the decorative motifs. In some cases,
certain holes had to be pre-prepared in the
mould, so as not to damage the vessel during the later stages. Once the new vessel had
been unmoulded and partially dried, the potter
erased the seam between the two halves with
his fingers or a small spatula. The final stage
was to open the necessary functional holes,
that is, a wick hole and a fill hole (for filling it
with oil); sometimes other, secondary, holes
were added as well. From the marks left on the
clay it seems that a variety of tools were used
for this purpose, including small sharp skewers and flat, hollow instruments with a semicylindrical or pointed hollow tip, like a pen8.
, 2001, 48. .. 2010.

, 2001, 29.
7
- 2001, 31.
8
. .., ( .).
5
- 2010, 192.
, 2001, 48; et al., in press.
6
, 2001, 29.
7
- 2001, 31.
8
For the construction of lamps generally see et al., in press.
4
5
184
2.
2. .
2. Cryptoporticus of the Agora.

// Lamps from Thessalonikis Agora
79.
- 3- 4 .
- . : 15,4 ., : 10,6 ., .
: 3,8 .
- ,
- ,
. . 356
,
,
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.

, ,
.

.
,

.

,

,

.

3 . (Perlzweig 1961, 138, . 25, . 12241242),

4 . (Perlzweig 1961, 157,
. 32, . 2016).

, ,
3- 4 . .
: , 2001, .
33. .. 2010 ( .).
. .
79. Part of a clay lamp mould

- Late 3rdearly 4th c.
- Extant length 15.4 cm, width 10.6 cm,
diameter of disk 3.8 cm
- Thessaloniki's Agora, Odeon
- Thessaloniki's Agora, inv. no. 356
Mould for the upper part of a twin-nozzle
lamp with the handle in the centre of the
disk, the upper surface unformed. The resulting product has a round, saucer-like disk
with a lengthwise vertical lug handle. The flat
shoulder displays a raised herringbone pattern. Between the disk and the nozzles are
raised, heraldically positioned shields decorated with raised dots and, between them, a
raised spear-like ornament. The position of
the wick hole is apparent on the surviving
nozzle. Notches around the external perimeter of the mould were probably intended
to ensure that it was properly aligned with
the lower part of the vessel. That this is a
secondary mould, created by surmoulage, is
evident from the imprint of the seam on the
patrix and the trace of the hole in its handle.
The morphological characteristics of the patrix suggest a category of lamps decorated
with raised dots and relief shields made in
an Attic workshop in the first half of the 3rd
c. (Perlzweig 1961, 138, pl. 25, nos 1224-1242),
while the multi-nozzle lamps with round disk
decorated with a herringbone pattern from
the Athenian Agora date from the first half
of the following century (Perlzweig 1961, 157,
pl. 32, no. 2016). In light of the above the pa-
trix should probably be dated to sometime

in the late 3rd or, more likely, the early 4th c.
Published in: , 2001, fig. 33;
et al. 2010 (in press).
S. Z.
* . . .
** ,
, , .
, .
*The entries for the material from Thessaloniki's Agora were written by Stavros Zachariadis under the supervision of Professor Emeritus Georgios Velenis.
**Hereafter the term upper part will designate the upper of the two parts that form a mould-made lamp and that includes the disk, the shoulder and the upper surface of the nozzle,
while the lower part corresponds to the lower part of the body and the base. Lamps are understood to be viewed from above, and from the nozzle to the back
185
80.
- 4- 5 .
- . : 2,1 ., : 6,5 ., .
: 4,9 .
- ,
- ,
. . 7287
- Mid 4thmid 5th c.

- Extant height 2.1 cm, extant length 6.5 cm,
extant width 4.9 cm
- Thessaloniki's Agora,
inv. no. 7287

.
,
,
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.
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, ,

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4 (Perlzweig 1961,
150, . 30, . 1709) 5
. (Karivieri 1996, 220, . 41, . 200).
: 2001 . 17. .. 2010 ( .).
Part of a clay mould with the impression of

the right part of the body and handle of a
lamp. The resulting product has a saucershaped disk bordered by grooves, decorated with a raised rosette with pointed
petals. The position of the pouring hole and
enclosing raised ring in the centre of the disk
are plain. The shoulder has a deep groove,
and the handle three parallel grooves on the
upper surface. This is probably a secondary
mould created by surmoulage, since the imprint of the seam on the patrix is quite clear.
Based on the decorative motif on the disk,
the patrix was probably made sometime between the middle of the 4th (Perlzweig 1961,
150, pl. 30, no. 1709) and the middle of the 5th
c. (Karivieri 1996, 220, pl. 41, no. 200).
Published in: 2001, fig. 17;
S. Z.
. .
81.
- 5 .
- : 3,1 ., 9,8 ., : 7 .,
. : 3,8 .
- ,
- ,
. . 275
- Late 5th c.
- Height 3.1 cm, length 9.8 cm, width 7 cm,
inv. no. 275

, .
,

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,

. -
Mould for the upper part of an oval lamp,

the upper surface unformed. The resulting
product is oval, with a round disk bordered
by two relief ribs between grooves and a
raised ring in the centre, encircling the position for the pouring hole. The shoulder is
decorated with raised dots and, at the front,
relief shields framing a raised spear-shaped
ornament, with the position of a small vent
indicated behind it. The upper surface of
the handle is decorated with three parallel
grooves. This must be a secondary mould,
since it preserves traces of the seam on
the patrix as well as traces of the hole in its
186
.

-

.
.
3 . (Warner
Slane 1990, 33, . 4, . 49. Perlzweig 1961,
138, . 25, . 1264). ,

5 . (Poulou-Papadimitriou 1986, 602,
. 44, . 47. Broneer 1930, 225, . 23, .
161, . 910-911).
,
5 .
: - 2010, 202, .
2, . 85. .. 2010 ( .).
handle, while the wick hole is off-centre. The

patrix may be dated, based on a series of examples from the Athenian Agora, to the late
3rd c. (Warner Slane 1990, 33, pl. 4, no. 49;
Perlzweig 1961, 138, pl. 25, no. 1264), although
similar examples have also been dated to
the late 5th c. (Poulou-Papadimitriou 1986,
602, fig. 44, no. 47; Broneer 1930, 225, pl. 23,
fig. 161, nos 910-911). The fact that this is a secondary mould, combined with the morphological characteristics of the patrix, places
the latter closer to the 5th c.
Published in: - 2010, 202, fig. 2,
no. 85; et al. 2010 (in press).
S. Z.
. .
82.
82. Clay lamp fragment
- 3 .
- . : 4,9 .
- ,
- ,
. . 150
- 3rd c.
- Max. dimension 4.9 cm
inv. no. 150
.

.
, ,

(
, . Karivieri 1996, 74).

,
( .. 2010,
.).
: .. 2010 ( .).
Part of a lamp handle with large hole. The

upper surface is decorated with a pair of
grooves forming a petal at the front end
of the handle. The fine dots on the surface
of the fragment, particularly between the
grooves decorating the handle, show that
the lamp was made in a plaster mould (for
the evolution of handle shape in Attic lamps,
see Karivieri 1996, 74). The convergent
biconical form of the hole indicates that it
was pierced using a cylindrical tool applied
at an angle in order to obtain the desired
size and shape ( et al. 2010, in press).
Published in: et al. 2010 (in press).
S. Z.
. .
187
83.
- 3 .
- : 6,3 ., . : 6 ., .
: 3,5 .
- ,
- ,
. . 2
- Mid 3rd c.
- Extant length 6.3 cm, extant width 6 cm,
inv. no. 2

. ,
( .
Perlzweig 1961, 145, . 28, . 1499. Karivieri
1996, 209, . 15, . 163).

,
( ..
2010, .).
: , 2001 56,
. 33, . 26. - .. 1996, 528,
. 10. .. 2010 ( .).
Fragment of the nozzle and upper part of

the body of a lamp. The round disk is decorated in relief with a radial motif, while the
flat shoulder has a tendril with alternating
stylised leaves and bunches of grapes, interspersed with scrolls (for parallels see
Perlzweig 1961, 145, pl. 28, no. 1499; Karivieri
1996, 209, pl. 15, no. 163). It is clear from the
lower surface of the disk that the potter
tried to make the central area as thin as
possible to reduce the risk of damage or distortion when the pouring hole was pierced
( et al. 2010, in press).
Published in: , 2001, 56, fig.
33, no. 26; - et al. 1996. 528, fig.
10b; et al. 2010 (in press).
S. Z.
. .
84.
- 3- 4 .
- . : 4 ., . : 11 .,
: 9,8 .
- ,
- ,
. . 317

.

( . Perlzweig
1961, 168, . 36, . 2244).
.

(

).

.

( .. 2010, .).

188

.
: .. 2010 ( .).
. .

- Late 3rdearly 4th c.
- Extant height 4 cm, extant length 11 cm,
width 9.8 cm,
- Thessaloniki's Agora, Cryptoporticus
inv. no. 317
Lower part of a round lamp with projecting
nozzle. The base is flat and decorated with
concentric grooves (for parallel see Perlzweig
1961, 168, pl. 36, no. 2244). The nozzle retains
signs of use. The upper part of the vessel
has broken off at the seam between the two
halves. Plainly visible on the bottom of the
reservoir are the marks left by the instrument
used to pierce the holes in the disk and the
nozzle, which was evidently a hollow tool with
a triangular tip, probably something like a quill
( et al. 2010, in press). The mass of
clay on the lower inside surface of the nozzle
is a residue from the working of the wick hole.

S. Z.
85.
- 4 .
- : 4,7 ., . : 4,1 ., . : 6,6 ., . : 4,2 .
- ,
- ,
. . 7319
. Perlzweig 1961, 155, . 36,

. 1974).
: - 2010, 195, . 16.
. .

.
.

,

.

3 4 . (. Karivieri
1996, 74).
.

4 5 . (Karivieri 1996,
129).

(
Back part of a lamp. The flat shoulder is

decorated with a row of large dots and an
epaulette of parallel grooves. What little
remains of the disk is defined by two concentric grooves. The handle descends to the
base, between grooves on the lower part of
the body, and has two parallel grooves on its
upper surface, a raised heart-shaped motif
at the lower end, and a small punch mark
in the upper part. Punch marks are especially common on handles from Attic lamps
dated in the late 3rdmid 4th c. (see Karivieri
1996, 74). The base is defined by a pair of
concentric of grooves and displays the impressed trademark , identifying it as
an Attic product from the famous RUFUS
workshop, which flourished until the late 4th
or early 5th c. (Karivieri 1996, 129). The small
86.
- 4 .
- . : 7,7 ., 5,9 ., .
: 4,1 .
- ,
- ,
. . 4408
- 4th c.
- Extant length 7.7 cm, width 5.9 cm, diameter
of disk 4.1 cm
inv. no. 4408
.

, .

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.

.

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Upper part of an oval lamp. The round disk

is decorated with eight leaves arranged radially around the raised ring encircling the
round pouring hole in the centre. The flat
shoulder is undecorated, while a narrow
groove separates the nozzle from the body
of the vessel. Between the disk and the
nozzle is small blind hole. The fragment has
separated from the lower part at the seam,
and the handle has broken off. The wick and
pouring holes are slightly off-centre and
were worked after the vessel was removed
from the mould. The lamp was most probably made using a secondary mould created
by surmoulage, since the shoulder bears
- First half 4th c.

- Height 4.7 cm, extant length 4.1 cm, extant
width 6.6 cm, diameter of base 4.2 cm
inv. no. 7319
dots between the decorative grooves indicate the use of a plaster mould, while traces
of spatula work over the seam are visible on
the exterior surface (for parallel see Perlzweig 1961, 155, pl. 36, no. 1974).
Published in: - 2010, 195, no. 16.
S. Z.
189
.

.
,

-.
traces of the seam on the original vessel.

The small dots between the grooves indicates the use of a plaster mould, but their
very low relief suggests that they came from
the patrix.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
87. ,
- 4 .
- . : 3,6 ., . : 9 .,
: 6,9 ., . : 3,3 ., .
: 2,6 .
- ,
- ,
. . 51

.
.

.

.

( . Bailey 1988, 393, . 114, .
Q3207.
,
).

, , .

,

.
.
,
7 .. . (PoulouPapadimitriou 1986, 594-595, . 53).

,

190
(. 2001, . 17).
. .
87. Mould-made clay lamp

- 4th c.
- Extant height 3.6 cm, extant length 9
cm, width 6.9 cm, diameter of disk 3.3 cm,
diameter of base 2.6 cm
inv. no. 51
Oval lamp. The tip of the nozzle is broken.
A raised band defines the disk and drainage channel. The shoulder is decorated
with pairs of raised concentric rings with a
dot in the centre, enclosed within a petalshaped border. The base is defined by a
raised ring and narrow groove. At the back,
five raised ribs fan out from the handle,
while at the front pairs of raised bands between grooves run down either side of the
nozzle (for parallel see Bailey 1988, 393, pl
114, no. Q3207. The example from the Agora
imitates, in simplified form, these decorative motifs on both the upper and the lower
surfaces). The seam between the two parts
of the vessel is quite visible on the outside. The pouring hole and wick hole were
worked after the vessel was moulded using
a hollow, semi-cylindrical tool, which has left
marks on the floor of the nozzle, while the
wick hole was pierced diagonally. The entire
surface of the vessel is covered with an offwhite slip, and traces of use are still visible
on the nozzle. In form and decoration this
vessel corresponds to a 7th -c. Samian type
(Poulou-Papadimitriou 1986, 594-595, fig.
53). It is one of a series of examples from
Thessaloniki's Agora with with reddish clay
and off-white slip, which draw on the repertory of Anatolian and Samian workshops
and are finished with an off-white slip (see
2001, fig. 17).
Unpublished
S. Z.
88.
- 4 .
- : 4,9 ., . : 7,7 ., : 7,9
., . : 5,4 ., . : 3,9 .
- ,
- ,
. . 7320

.

.

.
,
,

.

.

.
4
.,
5 (Karivieri 1996, 83. . Perlzweig 1961, 146, . 28, . 1562).

,
(-
2010, 189).
, ,
.

.
: - 2010, 196, . 6-7,
. 30.
. .

- Mid 4th c.
- Height 4.9 cm, extant length 7.7 cm, width
7.9 cm, diameter of disk 5.4 cm, diameter of
base 3.9 cm
inv. no. 7320
Part of an almost round lamp, the front badly
chipped. The disk is decorated with a radial
motif and defined by a pair of raised bands.
The flat shoulder displays a relief tendril
with alternating stylised leaves and bunches
of grapes. The handle, which extends along
the lower part of the body between flanking
grooves, has a blind hole at the top, a pair
of grooves along the upper surface, and a
raised heart-shaped motif at the lower end.
The base is defined by a pair of concentric
grooves and has an impressed A in the centre. This is an Attic lamp from the Alpha
workshop, so called because of the trademark A on the base of its manufactures,
which flourished particularly in the 4th c. and
89.
- 4 .
- . : 5,1 ., . : 4,5 ., .
: 4,7 .,
- ,
- ,
. . 456
- Mid 4th c.
extant width 4.7 cm,
inv. no. 456
, .
.

.

( . Perlzweig 1961, 152, . 31, . 1789.
Lindros Wohl 1972, 129-30, . 34, . 14).

, ,
.
Part of the body, base and handle of a lamp.

The disk displays a raised rosette. The shoulder is decorated with a vine tendril with alternating leaves and bunches of grapes in
strong relief. The handle has three parallel
grooves on the upper surface, while the
base is defined by two concentric grooves
(for parallels see Perlzweig 1961, 152, pl. 31,
no. 1789; Lindros Wohl 1972, 129-130, pl. 34,
no. 14). The back of the handle was obviously reworked after unmoulding, and there
are spatula marks on the smoothed surface
around the outer side of the seam.
Unpublished
. .
S. Z.
continued in operation until the late 5th c.

(Karivieri 1996, 83. For parallel see Perlzweig
1961, 146, pl. 28, no. 1562). The example from
the Athenian Agora comes from the Stratolaos workshop, which was roughly contemporary with the A workshop (-
2010, 189). On the outside of the vessel, there
are spatula marks along the seam line. The
small spots on the decoration betray the use
of a plaster mould.
Published in: - 2010, 196, figs 6-7,
no. 30.
S. Z.
191
90.
- 4 .
- . .: 5,4 ., : 3,7 .,
. : 4,2 .
- ,
- ,
. . 374
- 2nd half 4th c.

- Max. dimension 5.4 cm, width 3.7 cm,
inv. no. 374

.

.
( . Perlzweig 1961,
148, . 29, . 1610).
.
. .
, ,

( .. 2010
.).
Upper part of a lamp with a round disk

decorated with a radial motif. A raised ring
encircles the round pouring hole in the centre. The flat shoulder is decorated with a
herringbone pattern (for parallel see Perlzweig 1961, 148, pl. 29, no. 1610). The piece has
separated from the lower half at the seam.
The pouring hole was worked after the vessel had been removed from the mould. In
section there are clearly two layers of clay of
the same quality: one of uniform thickness,
forming the inner surface of the fragment,
the other thinner, to permit a sharper impression of the decorative motifs (
et al. 2010, in press).
S. Z.
. .
91.
- 4
- . : 6,6 .
- ,
- ,
. . 74
- 2nd half 4th c.

inv. no. 74

,
.

, ,
( . Koutoussaki
2008, 289, . 395, . 463.1).
, ,
.

4 - 5 . (Karivieri
1996, 205. Bovon 1966, 80).
: .. 2010 ( .).
Handle and part of the body of a lamp. The

disk is square, edged with a radial pattern of
dots. The flat shoulder has impressed circles
with dots in the centre in either side of the
handle, the upper surface of which has a
pattern of grooves (Koutoussaki 2008, 289,
fig. 395, no. 463.1). Traces of spatula work are
visible over the area where the two halves
meet. Lamps with square disk are among
the less widely distributed products of the
Attic workshops, and date from the late
4th or early 5th c. (Karivieri 1996, 205; Bovon
1966, 80).
. .
192
S. Z.
92.
- 4-5 .
- , : 2,4 ., : 8,5 .,
: 6 ., . : 4,3 .
- ,
- , . . 344
, .
: - 2010, 199, .
60.
. .
.
,
.
,

. .

.

, , 3 4
. (Broneer 1930, . 17, 18. Perlzweig 1961,
130, . 21, . 970, 97).

(Bonifay 2004, . 211, . 45. Enambli 1976,
. 626. Bailey 203, . 28, . Q1838).

.
, ,
Upper part of an oval lamp. Barely visible on

the round disk is a relief figure of an animal,
probably a cock, while the shoulder has two
rows of large dots. The nozzle is bordered
by two diagonal grooves, and the upper surface of the handle displays two narrow parallel grooves. The lamp is carelessly made.
The disk is off-centre, making the shoulders
of uneven width. Morphologically, the lamp
belongs to the Attic type of lamp with an animal (usually a lion) on the disk, which were
made in the 3rd and 4th c. (Broneer 1930, pls
17, 18; Perltzweig1961, 130, pl. 21, nos 970, 974),
although the rooster motif is more commonly found on North African lamps (Bonifay
2004, fig. 211, no. 45; Enambli 1976, no. 626;
Bailey 203, pl. 28, no. Q1838). The example
from the Forum dating based on neighbouring finds and is obviously an imitation, since
93.
- 4- 5 .
- . 6,8 .
- ,
- ,
. . 7334
- Mid 4thearly 5th c.

inv. no. 7334
.

, .

.

( E. .
ea).

.
A fragment of the front part of the upper

half of a large lamp. A raised band defines
the oval disk and narrow channel with the
wick hole and its encircling raised ring. The
shoulder and nozzle are decorated with
three rows of large dots, while the exterior
surface of the fragment is covered by an
iridescent slip and shows marked traces of
use. The lamp has been dated on the basis
of neighbouring finds. Comparable examples have been found in the Ukraine (information from my colleague E.. ea).
Both the wick hole and the pouring hole
were worked after the vessel had been removed from the mould.
Unpublished

- 4th5th c.
- Extant body height 2.4 cm, length 8.5 cm,
width 6 cm, diameter of disk 4.3 cm.
besides being carelessly made it also differs

from Attic manufactures morphologically
and in the composition of the clay.
Published in: - 2010, 199, no. 60.
S. Z.
S. Z.
. .
193
94.
- 4- 5 .
- . : 3,1 ., . : 6,9 .
- ,

- ,
. . 1543
- Mid 4thmid 5th c.

- Extant height 3.1 cm, max. dimension 6.9 cm
- Thessaloniki's Agora, SE sector
inv. no. 1543

.
, ,
.

,
, ,
.

.

.

.
,
. ,
.
Back part of a lamp. The surviving part of

the flat disk, which occupies the whole top
surface of the vessel, is decorated with the
relief image of a bird, probably a swan, turning its head to the left. Behind it is a large
pouring hole encircled by a high raised ring,
from which springs the oval ribbon handle
that ends on the lower part of the body. The
round base is formed by a high raised ring. A
large quantity of surplus clay adheres to the
seam on the inside, squeezed out when the
two pieces were pressed together during
assembly, while on the outside the carelessly worked surface has been reinforced with
extra clay. The lower part of the vessel is
carelessly made and slightly smaller than the
upper part. The pouring hole was worked in
the mould, while the handle is applied. The
vessel dating based on neighbouring finds
although it cannot be identified typologically with any published examples.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
95.
- 5 .
- : 4,3 ., . : 9,3 ., .
: 5,5 ., . : 2,5 .
- ,
- ,
. . 1523
- Mid 5th c.
width 5.5 cm, diameter of base 2.5 cm
- Thessaloniki's Agora, Square
inv. no. 1523
,

. ,

.

. , ,
( . Karivieri
1996, 216, . 39-40, . 185).
Part of a lamp with a saucer-shaped disk

decorated with a raised stylised rosette with
curving petals, and a flat shoulder with a
raised herringbone design. The handle descends to the lower part of the body, where
it is bordered by grooves on either side; the
upper surface has three parallel grooves on
the upper part and two on the lower. The
round flat base is shaped by a groove encircling an impressed stylised branch (for parallel see Karivieri 1996, 216, pls 39-40, no. 185).
The decorative motif on the base is found
on the products of various Attic workshops
and seems to have been used as a symbol
194

(Karivieri 1996, 77-78).
, ,
.

( .. 2010, .).
of good fortune rather than a trademark, as

is the case with other motifs or inscriptions
(Karivieri 1996, 77-78). Spatula marks remain
on the broad band covering the seam between the two parts on the outside of the
vessel. The presence of slip on much of the
interior surface suggests that it was applied
by dipping rather than brushing ( et
al. 2010, in press).
S. Z.
. .
96.

96. Clay lamp with part of a

stand
- 5-6 .
- : 2,8 ., . :
8,7 ., . : 5,7 .
- ,
- ,
. . 121
- 5th6th c.
- Height with the stand 2.8 cm, extant length
8.7 cm, extant width 5.7 cm
inv. no. 121
,

,
.
,
.

.
. .
Part of a round lamp with saucer-shaped

disk defined by a raised band, projecting
nozzle and part of a cylindrical stand formed
of three successive coils. The upper part of
the lamp is mould-made, while the lower
part and the stand were thrown on a wheel.
On the outside, a groove marks the point
of union of the upper and lower parts. The
whole surface of the vessel is charred. Dating based on neighbouring finds.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
97.
- 5-6 .
- . : 2,4 ., . : 6,9 ., .
: 6 ., . : 4,3 .
- ,
- ,
. . 7322
- 5th6th c.
extant width 6 cm, diameter of disk 4.3 cm
inv. no. 7322

. ,
, ,
,
Front part of a lamp with round body and

projecting nozzle. The disk, which is defined by a dentilled band, retains part of
its decoration: a tripod with a vertical shaft
between floral ornaments. The decorative
motif is not clear, but is likely to have been
195
(. 2010, 223, . 15,

. 692.

). ,
. .
. planta
pedis (Poulou-Papadimitriou 1986, 586-588)

4 (Poulou-Papadimitriou 1986, 587) 5 (Garnett 1975, 200)
5 6
. (ailey 1975, 372).
, ,
,

.

.

, ,

,
.

,

( .. 2010, .).
a seven-branched candlestick between

palm fronds (see 2010, 223, fig. 15,
nr. 692. While the example from Thira is
typologically different from this lamp, the
decoration is very similar). A scrolling Greek
key worked in relief ornaments the shoulder. A small part of the wick hole is visible
on the nozzle and parts of the two pouring
holes on the disk. This is an Anatolian lamp,
probably of the planta pedis type (PoulouPapadimitriou 1986, 586-588), and based
on its morphological features was probably
made in the late 4th (Poulou-Papadimitriou
1986, 587) or 5th c. (Garnett 1975, 200), or
possibly between the mid 5th and late 6th c.
(ailey 1975, 372). Traces of spatula work are
visible over the seam on the outside of the
vessel, while the holes were worked after it
was removed from the mould. The slip was
probably applied by dipping after the holes
had been made. This was probably done in
two stages: one for the lower part, when a
small quantity of slip apparently ran into the
interior through the wick hole, and one for
the upper, when all the holes would have
been completely immersed in the fluid clay,
thus allowing more to run into the interior
and consequently explaining why almost the
entire interior surface of the upper part of
the vessel is covered with slip ( et
al. 2010, in press).
Unpublished

S. Z.
. .
98.
- 5-6 .
- : 4,9 ., . : 7,7 ., : 7,9
., . : 5,4 . . : 3,9 .
- ,
- ,
. . 7321
- 5th6th c.
base 3.9 cm
inv. no. 7321

.
,

.

, -
Handle and lower part of the body of an

oval lamp, retaining part of the shoulder
and its decoration of large dots crowned by
a raised ring. The handle has three grooves
on the upper surface and ends in a relief
fishtail motif on the lower part of the body,
with impressed sets of concentric circles at
the tips and the fork. The base, a raised ring
196

.

.

.

planta pedis (Poulou-Papadimitriou 1986, 586588)
.
5 . (Poulou-Papadimitriou 1986, 589, .
8, . 8.) 6 . (Bailey 1988, 384, .
106, . Q3123.

).

.

.
.

.

, .
: , 2001,
102, . 35, . 28.
between grooves, displays an impressed

planta pedis in the centre. On the front,
pairs of parallel grooves run down from both
sides of the nozzle, with pairs of concentric
impressed circles between and on either
side of them. Morphologically the lamp could
be dated in the 5th (Poulou-Papadimitriou
1986, 589, fig. 8, no. 8) or in the 6th c. (Bailey
1988, 384, pl. 106, no. Q3123. The difference
with the parallel in the British Museum is the
presence of three impressed circles with
dot at the tips of the fishtail ornament). The
exceptionally fine quality of the clay and
strong slip label this as an imported article.
Marked traces of spatula work remain over
the join between the two halves of the vessel.
The slip was probably applied by dipping. The
wick hole was finished after unmoulding and
retains some signs of use. The small dots on
the inside of some of the grooves indicates
the use of a plaster mould, probably little
used given the sharpness of the relief of the
decorative motifs.
Published in: , 2001, 102,
fig. 35, no. 28
S. Z.
. .
99.
- 5-6 .
- : 2,5 ., . : 5,5 .,
. : 5,7 ., . : 2,65 .
- ,
- ,
. . 388
- 5th6th c.
- Height of body 2.5 cm, extant length 5.5 cm,
extant width 5.7 cm, diameter of base 2.65 cm
inv. no. 388

.

.

5 . (Bovon 1966, 86, . 16, . 602)
6 . (Hayes 1992, 82).

7 . (Hayes 1992, 84, . 18, . 8).
Back part of an undecorated oval lamp with

only a narrow groove on the upper surface of
the handle. Some surplus clay adheres to the
seam on the inside, squeezed out when the
two pieces were pressed together during assembly, while on the outside there is a raised
band. Morphologically the lamp could be
dated in the 5th (Bovon 1966, 86, pl. 16, no. 602)
or in the 6th c. (Hayes 1992, 82). Similar pieces
have been found in 7th -century strata at Constantinople (Hayes 1992, 84, pl. 18, no. 8).
Unpublished
. .
S. Z.
197
100. ,
- 6 .
- : 3,4 ., . : 8 ., : 6
., . : 2,6 .
- ,
- ,
. . 287
- 6th c.
- Height 3.4 cm, extant length 8 cm, width 6
cm, diameter of disk 2.6 cm
inv. no. 287
. ,

.

.

.
: - .. 1997, 528,
. 10.
Almost intact oval lamp. The flat disk is bordered by a raised band, while the shoulder
has a relief scroll. A framed area between
the disk and the wick hole is decorated with
a cross, while on the lower part of the body
a raised band runs from the handle to the
base. The nozzle and front part of the lamp
show marked signs of use.
Published in: - et al. 1997, 528,
fig. 10.
S. Z.
. .
101.
- 6 .
- . : 3,3 ., : 9,45 .,
. : 4,6 ., . : 3,3 .
- ,
- ,
. . 377
- 6th c.
- Extant height 3.3 cm, length 9.45 cm, extant
width 4.6 cm, diameter of disk 3.3 cm
inv. no. 377
. . ,

( . Bruneau
1965, 141, . 33, . 4709).
.

(
.. 2010 .).
(491-518)
(527-565) (
, . . 3190
3191 ).
: .. 2010 ( .).
Part of an almond-shaped lamp. The disk

and channel are defined by a raised band.
The shoulder is decorated with large dots in
sharp relief, and the handle with two parallel grooves on the upper surface (for parallel see Bruneau 1965, 141, pl. 33, no. 4709).
Surplus squeezed clay remains on the inner
face of the join, while on the outside the
seam line is marked by a wide raised band.
The dots decorating the shoulder are carelessly executed and reveal a working of the
new mould, which is possibly cast from a
lamp with dots in low relief ( et al.
2010, in press). With this vessel were found
coins from the reigns of Anastasius I (491518) and Justinian I (527-565) (see Thessaloniki's Agora, inv. nos 3191 and 3190
respectively).
. .
198
S. Z.
102.
- 6 .
- . : 1,3 ., . : 5,2 ., : 5,4 ., . 3,5 .
- ,
- ,
. . 1504
. .
. .
102. Applied clay ornament

.

(Bailey 1975, 191, . 16, . Q1730 251, .
44, . 2061-2063. Bonifay 2004, 415, . 231,
. 4. 2010, 209, . 1. Perlzweig
133, 22, . 1065. Goodenough . 3, . 923958. 2010, 223, . 15, . 692),

(Karivieri 1996, 83)
( 2010, 209).
,
- 6th c.
inv. no. 1504
103. ,
- 6-7 .
- : 3,2 ., . : 7,95 ., .
: 5,95 ., . : 2,6 .
- ,
- ,
. . 400
- 6th7th c.
width 5.95 cm, diameter of base 2.6cm
inv. no. 400

.
.

, .

,
. , ,
,

( . Bailey 1975,
391, . 112, . Q3193-3194).

.
.
Oval lamp, missing the tip of the nozzle. A

raised band defines the disk and drainage
channel. Raised dots decorate the shoulder, and relief petals, facing the back of the
vessel, flank the nozzle. A raised ring on the
lower part of the vessel defines the base,
which has an impressed planta pedis in the
centre. At the back, there is a fishtail motif in
low relief with an impressed circle between
the tips, while on the front pairs of grooves
run from either side of the nozzle to an impressed circle (for parallel see Bailey 1975,
391, plate 112, nos Q3193-3194). The wick and
pouring holes were worked after the piece
was removed from the mould. The nozzle
and upper part of the vessel retain marked
signs of use.
Unpublished
Part of a clay ornament with a sevenbranched lamp in relief. This motif is not
unfamiliar as a disk ornament on lamps
(Bailey 1975, 191, pl. 16, no. Q1730, 251, pl. 44,
nos 2061-2063; Bonifay 2004, 415, fig. 231, no.
4; 2010, 209, fig. 1; Perlzweig 133, 22,
no. 1065; Goodenough vol. 3, figs 923-958;
2010, 223, fig. 15, no. 692) which
are usually described as Jewish (Karivieri
1996, 83) and are thought in some cases

to indicate the local presence of a Jewish
community ( 2010, 209). The piece,
which probably comes from the decoration
of a vessel, is mould-made and has become
detached from its original position. It is
dating based on neighbouring finds.
Unpublished
S. Z.
S. Z.
. .
199
104.
- 6-7 .
- . : 1,3 ., . : 5,2 ., : 5,4 ., . : 3,5 .
- ,
- ,
. . 1121
- 6th7th c.
inv. no. 1121
.

.

(
. Lyon-Caen, Hoff 1986, 134. Oziol 1977,
256. Oziol 1993, 69-70. Lafli 2003 196).

.

.

.
Upper part of an oval lamp, which came

apart at the seam. The disk is decorated
with a radial motif and defined by a pair of
raised bands. Sets of raised concentric circles above a row of raised rings decorate the
shoulder (for parallel see Lyon-Caen, Hoff
1986, 134; Oziol 1977, 256; Oziol 1993, 69-70;
Lafli 2003, 196). The pouring hole was fully
shaped in the mould. The handle is chipped.
This lamp was probably an import from the
southeast Mediterranean.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
105. ,
- 6-7 .
- . : 2,4 ., : 9 ., : 6,1
., . : 2,4 ., . : 2,2 .
- ,
- ,
. . 1226

.

.
,
(.
. . 108). , ,

. ,

, .

.
.

.
200
,
(.
2001, 154, . 19)
.
. .
. 108.
: .. 2010 ( .).
. .

- 6th7th c.
- Extant height 2.4 cm, length 9 cm, width
base - 2.2 cm
inv. no. 1226
Almost intact almond-shaped lamp with
three rows of large dots on the shoulder and
four parallel ribs on the drainage channel.
On the lower part of the vessel a raised ring
defines the oval base. Around the perimeter
are four relief crosses, with ribs linking their
cross arms to the base (see in the present
volume cat. no. 108). Where the two parts
meet, excess clay from the upper part has
been folded down in order to strengthen
the seam. The dots on the shoulder are not
uniform in size, indicating interference with
the mould, which was probably created by
surmoulage, an assumption reinforced by
the generally low relief of the decoration.

The wick and pouring holes are carelessly
worked, and were probably made in the
mould. Traces of use are evident around the
wick hole. The exterior surface of the vessel is entirely covered with a white slip; this
has been observed on other lamps from the
Agora (see 2001, 154, fig. 19),
and may reflect the practice of some local
manufacturer.
S. Z.
106.
- 6-7 .
- . : 1,3 ., . : 5,2 ., : 5,4 ., . : 3,5 .
- ,
- ,
. . 1428
, ,

.
: .. 2010 ( .)
. .
.

( .
Bailey 1975, 391, . 112, . Q3194).

.

.

( ..
2010, .).

,
.
-
107.
- 6-7 .
- . : 6,8 . . : 6,3 .,
. : 6 ., . : 3,5 .
- ,
- ,
. . 20
.

.

.
Atlante X (Anselmino,
Pavolini 1981, 200), 5 7 . (Bonifay
2004, 370-416).

6 7 . (Karivieri 1996, 58)
(Garnett 1975, 195-199).
,
.
(Garnett
1975, 182) (Karivieri 1996, 39)
-
- 6th7th c.
inv. no. 1428
Back part of a lamp. There are raised dots on
the shoulder, while on the lower part of the
body a raised band runs from the handle to
the base (for parallel see Bailey 1975, 391, pl.
112, no. Q3194). The handle of the vessel has
completely come away from the shoulder,
leaving a small lobate surface. This shows
that the mould was filled with clay in stages:
the potter evidently first filled the hollow for
the handle and afterwards added the clay to
form the body of the vessel ( et al.
2010, in press). Anatolian lamps often lose

their handles at this point, and the same
technique was likely used elsewhere as well.
The surplus clay ringing the pouring hole
shows that the hole was worked after the
vessel had been removed from the mould.
Published in: et al. 2010 (in press)
S. Z.
. .

- 6th7th c.
- Max. dimension 6.8 cm, extant length 6.3
cm, extant width 6 cm, diameter of disk 3.5 cm
inv. no. 20
Fragment of the lower part of the body of
a lamp. The base is a raised ring decorated
with a set of concentric rings in the centre
and raised circles around the perimeter. The
lower end of the beak-shaped handle can
be seen at the back of the vessel. This lamp
is an imitation of North African examples
of the Atlante X Type (Anselmino, Pavolini
1981, 200), which may be generally dated to
the period from the 5th to the 7th c. (Bonifay
2004, 370-416). These vessels were widely
copied by the Attic lamp manufactories in
the 6th and 7th centuries (Karivieri 1996, 58)
and even earlier in Corinth (Garnett 1975,
195-199). This particular example is made of
a brown clay and has a thin slip of a similar

shade. Both the decorative motif on the
base (Garnett 1975, 182) and the clay (Karivieri 1996, 39) match imitations produced in
Corinthian workshops.
Unpublished
S. Z.
201
108. ,
- 6-7 .
- : 2,9 ., . : 8,2 .,
: 6 .
,
- ,
. . 290

.
.

.

.
,
.

,
. 6- 7
. (Bruneau 1965, 141. Bailey 1975, 391, . 112,
. Q3192-3194).

.
109. ,
- 6 - 7 .
- : 2,9 ., : 8,8 .,
: 6,3 ., . : 3,1 ., .
: 2,4 .
- ,
- ,
. . 336

. .
(
. Abadie-Reynal, Sodini 1992, 71-72, . 29,
. L35). ,

.
. .
202

Yassi Ada (Vitelli 1981, . 9-3,
9-4, . L12), .
6 - 7 .
. .

- 6th7th c.
- Extant length 8.2 cm, width 6 cm, height
2.9 cm
inv. no. 290
Almond-shaped lamp, missing the front
end of the nozzle. The disk and drainage
channel are bordered by a single raised
band. There are three ribs in this channel,
while the shoulder is decorated with three
rows of large raised dots. The nozzle shows
marked traces of use. The handle was probably shaped after the vessel was removed
from the mould, whereas the large pouring hole and the wick hole seem to have
been formed entirely within it. This vessel
is a copy of an earlier Anatolian type with
a round disk and relief petals on the nozzle. The open channel version dates from
the second half of the 6th to the middle of

- Late 6thearly 7th c.
- Height of body 2.9 cm, length 8.8 cm, width
base 2.4 cm
inv. no. 336
Oval lamp with granulation on the shoulder.
A raised ring on the lower part of the vessel forms the base. There is a raised fishtail
ornament at the back of the vessel, while at
the front pairs of grooves run along either
side of the nozzle to an impressed circle
(for parallel see Abadie-Reynal, Sodini 1992,
71-72, fig. 29, no. L35). The decoration is in
exceptionally low relief, possibly due to the
use of a well-worn mould or a mould taken
from a long series of copies made by surmoulage.
Unpublished
S. Z.
the 7th c. (Bruneau 1965, 141; Bailey 1975, 391,

pl. 112, nos Q3192-3194). The example from
the Agora is atypical in the simplification of
the decoration, with just three rows of large
dots, and the presence of ribs in the channel. It more closely resembles a lamp from
the Yassi Ada shipwreck (Vitelli 1982, 193, figs
9-3, 9-4, no. L12), although the drainage channel on that vessel is undecorated. Based on
the evolution of the type, this vessel should
probably be placed in the late 6th or early 7th c.
Unpublished
S. Z.
110.
- 6 7 .
- : 3,9 ., . : 7 .,
. : 4 .
- ,
- ,
. . 11034
.
, ,

.
.
.
( . Hayes 1980, 124-129).

.
.
(Bailey
1988, 230).

111.
- 6- 7 .
- . : 6,1 .
- ,
- ,
. . 1666
. .

.
. .

- Early 6thmid 7th c.
- Height of the body 3.9 cm, extant length 7 cm,
diameter of disk 4 cm
Right part of the body of a round lamp. A
raised band with dots on its upper surface
defines the flat, slightly sunken disk, which retains part of the pouring hole. The shoulder is
strongly curved, and decorated with a raised
floral motif. The lower part of the body and
base are undecorated. The fragment retains
the root of the oval handle from the back part
of the vessel (Hayes 1980, 124-129). Vessels of
this type are thought to come from the Aswan
district of Egypt. They are usually richly decorated with relief work, and often display relief
inscriptions. The example from the Agora is

probably an import, since the clay and the slip
match those of Egyptian manufactures (Bailey
1988, 230). There are traces of spatula work
over the seam, which in places is still visible.
The handle is applied. The disk is fashioned
from a separate piece of clay which was evidently placed in the mould after the material
for the shoulder.
Unpublished
S. Z.
Q3357).
,

.
. .
.

[]
, [] ( . Hayes 1980, 124-129).

(- 1970-1972).
.

.

,

.
(

, . Bailey 1988, 421, . 127, .

- Early 6thmid 7th c.
Back part of an oval lamp, with the handle. The
saucer-shaped disk is defined by a raised band,
while the shoulder is decorated with dots and
in addition displays a relief inscription: []
on the right side, [] on the left (for parallel Hayes 1980, 124-129). This is an example of
a traditional type of Coptic lamp ( 1970-1972) made with a saints name
or theological phrase worked in relief on the
shoulder, which were very likely sold as souvenirs at places of pilgrimage. This example
differs from the typical Egyptian lamps in the
shape of the (in both cases) applied handle,
which here is a lug, whereas the standard type
has a ribbon handle rising from the back of the

body to the shoulder (parallel example with
lug handle in the British Museum (Bailey 1988,
421, pl. 127, no. Q3357). One particularly interesting feature of this lamp is the reversal of the
inscription, which was apparently incised into
the mould without allowing for the reversal of
the text on the unmoulded product.
Unpublished
S. Z.
203
112.
112. Wheel-made clay lamp
- 6- 7 .
- : 3,1 ., . : 7,7 ., : 6,9
., . : 3,7 .
- ,
- ,
. . 2350
- Late 6thearly 7th c.

6.9 cm, diameter of disk 3.7 cm
inv. no. 2350
, .
,
. ,
, . , ,
,

.
,
( .
Bailey 1988, 418, . 125, . Q3339-Q3341.
Abadie-Reynal, Sodini 1992, 84, . 35, .
L88. 2005, 207 . 14-19).

,
.
.
Part of a wheel-made lamp. The body is

round, oval in cross-section, with a slightly
conical neck. The nozzle, of which only the
root remains, has a gentle upward curve.
The oval ribbon handle, decorated with
three grooves on the upper surface, rises
from the back of the neck and ends on the
lower part of the vessel. The body of the
vessel is wheel-made, the handle and nozzle are applied (Bailey 1988, 418, pl. 125, nos
Q3339-Q3341; Abadie-Reynal, Sodini 1992,
84, fig. 35, no. L88; 2005, 207
no. 14-19). Traces of the mark left by the
cord used to cut the clay are still visible on
the base, although they have been largely
obliterated. There are some traces of charring on the handle.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
113. ,
- 6- 7 .
- : 2,7 ., : 8,8 ., : 6,6 .,
. : 2,3 ., . : 3,1 .
- ,
- ,
. . 281
.
,
.

. , ,

(Poulou-Papademetriou 1986, 596,
. 26, . 29. Vitelli 1981, 191, . 9.2, 9.4, .
L3).
(Poulou-Papademetriou 1986,
594-595). , ,
. .
. .
204

- Late 6th early 7th c.
- Height 2.7 cm, length 8.8 cm, width 6.6 cm,
diameter of disk 2.3 cm. diameter of base
3.1 cm
Intact oval lamp. A groove and a raised band
border the saucer-shaped disk, the narrow
drainage channel and the nozzle. The gently
rounded shoulder is decorated with raised
petals. The handle is horizontal, leaf-shaped,
its surface badly flaked, while a raised ring
forms the base (Poulou-Papademetriou
1986, 596, fig. 26, no. 29; Vitelli 1982, 191, figs
9.2, 9.4, no. L3). The lamp is of a type classified as Samian (Poulou-Papademetriou
1986, 594-595), but judging by the clay this is
probably a local imitation. The vessel is carelessly made, and there are marked traces of
burning all over the surface.
Unpublished
S. Z.
114.
- 7 .
- : 3,1 ., . : 7,7 ., : 6,9
., . : 3,7 .
- ,
- ,
. . 1813
- 7th c.
inv. no. 1813
.

.

.
.

6
7 .
.

.
Back part of an oval lamp. A raised band

defines the round disk, most of which is
occupied by a large, carelessly made pouring hole, worked after the vessel was unmoulded. The shoulder is decorated with a
scroll in low relief, and the upper surface of
the nozzle with four parallel raised ribs. The
surface of the vessel is badly chipped, and
there are marked traces of use at the front,
extending back to the disk. This is one of a
series of vessels from the Agora made in imitation of 6th and 7th c. Anatolian types. The
pouring hole was probably worked entirely
in the mould, for there are no indications to
the contrary.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
115. ,
- 7 .
- : 3,8 ., : 8,5 ., : 6,4 .,
. : 3,6 ., . : 2,7 .
- ,
- ,
. . 7346
- 7th c.
diameter of disk 3.6 cm, diameter of base
2.7 cm
. ,
,
.
.

,

( . Vitelli 1982,
193, . 9-3, 9-4, . L12. Hayes 1992, 84, .
18, . 12. Bruneau 141, . 33, 4709. 2005, 204).
, ,
.

.
: , 2001 . 45.
Intact oval lamp. A pair of raised bands define the disk, with its small impressed circles, and drainage channel. The shoulder is
decorated with a pattern of dots and the
handle with two parallel grooves on the upper surface. Beneath, the base is defined by
a raised ring with four impressed rings on
the upper surface and an impressed planta
pedis in the centre, while at the back there is
a relief fishtail motif with an impressed circle
at the fork (for parallels see Vitelli 1982, 193,
figs 9-3, 9-4, no. L12; Hayes 1992, 84, pl. 18,
no. 12; Bruneau 141, pl. 33, 4709;
2005, 204). There are traces of spatula work
over the seam and signs of use on the nozzle.
Much of the surface of the disk is chipped.
Published in: , 2001, fig. 45.
S. Z.
. .
205
116.
- 7 .
- . : 2,3 ., : 10 .,
: 6 ., . : 3,2 .
- ,
- ,
. . 5657
- 7th c.
- Extant height 2.3 cm, length 10 cm,
width 6 cm, diameter of base 3.2 cm
inv. no. 5657

.

.

7 ., ( 2010, 277).

(Karivieri 1996, 193, . 9, . 105)
,
(, 2001, 61, .
42), .
Lower part of a lamp with projecting nozzle and a base formed by a raised ring. The
front of the vessel, which has come apart
at the seam joining the two halves, shows
marked traces of use. Separation at the seam
is a phenomenon that occurs with increasing frequency in the 7th c., signalling the deterioration in product quality as lamps were
increasingly made by workshops with little or
no expertise in their manufacture (
2010, 277). This lamp belongs to a series of
small vessels made in imitation of North African models (Karivieri 1996, 193, pl. 9, no. 105),
a group which is represented at the Forum in
Thessaloniki by three examples, all decorated
with very simple motifs (,
2001, 61, fig. 42) and without slip or glaze.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
117. ,
- 7 .
- . : 6,8 ., . : 6,3 .,
. : 6 ., . : 3,5 .
- ,
- ,
. . 106

.

. .

.

(
. Bovon 1966, 86, . 15, .
601).
,
.

( .. 2010, .).
206

, .
(Bovon 1966, 85)
(Poulou-Papademetriou 1986, 595).
. .

- 7th c.
- Max. dimension 6.8 cm, extant length 6.3
cm, extant width 6 cm, diameter of disk 3.5 cm
Intact oval lamp, missing the handle. A relief
band defines the disk and the channel running to the wick hole. The shoulder is decorated with a scroll in low relief. Two concentric
rings on the lower part of the vessel define the
base. A relief fishtail ornament may be seen
at the back of the vessel, while at the front a
pair of raised bands run from either side of
the nozzle to the base (for parallel see Bovon
1966, 86, pl. 15, no. 601). A broad band running
around the perimeter of the shoulder shows
that the lamp was made by surmoulage. The

handle has broken off, and there are marks on
the bottom of the reservoir left by the hollow
tool used to open the pouring and wick holes
( et al. 2010, in press). There are traces of use both on the nozzle and at the back
of the vessel. This is probably an imitation of a
lamp from coastal Asia Minor (Bovon 1966, 85)
or Samos (Poulou-Papademetriou 1986, 595).
Unpublished
S. Z.
118. ,
- 7 .
- : 5 ., : 13 ., : 7,7 .,
. : 4,3 ., . : 3,8 .
- ,
- ,
. . 385
- 7th c.
- Height 5 cm, length 13 cm, width 7.7 cm,
diameter of disk 4.3 cm, diameter of base 3.8 cm
inv. no. 385

.

.
, ,
.
, (Broneer 1930, 287, . 203, . 1469).

.
(Bonifay
2004, 410-413).

.

,

.
.

. ,
.
,
,

,
.

.. ( 2010, 278, . 3).
: , 2001 .
45. .. 2010 ( .).
Intact oval lamp with chipping over the

greater part of the disk. The disk is defined
by a raised band and displays a row of small
raised rings on the upper part. The channel,
which is not differentiated from the disk,
has a raised triangle with dots around the
perimeter and an ophthalmus in the centre,
and a small vent just before the wick hole.
Close-packed sets of raised stylised leaves
ornament areas of the shoulder (Broneer
1930, 287, fig. 203, no. 1469). The base is a
raised ring connected with the handle by a
raised band. Typologically this piece belongs
to the later period of North African lamps
with geometric decoration (Bonifay 2004,
410-413). The example from the Forum is
probably an imitation, since the material
is very different from the orangey-red clay
and shiny slip typical of the North African
models. The seam between the two parts
has been fully smoothed, but the fingerprints left by the potter are still visible. The
wick hole and vent were worked after the
vessel was removed from the mould. Some
signs of use are visible around the wick hole.
More prominent are the traces of charring
on both surfaces of the surviving part of the
disk which, in conjunction with the chipping
all over the disk, suggest that it was deliberately removed so that the lamp could be
used in an unusual way, perhaps as a candlelamp. The practice of removing the disk is
known from earlier periods, and may be associated with the use of solid fuels, e.g. tallow ( 2010, 278, fig. 3).
Published in: , 2001, fig.
45; - et al. 1996, 528, fig. 10c;
S. Z.
. .
207
119.
119. Clay lamp
- 7 .
- . : 5,1 .
- ,
- ,
. . 510
- 7th c.
inv. no. 510
.

.
, ,

,
.

( .. 2010, .).

7 .
: .. 2010 ( .).
Part of the right side of the body and nozzle

of a lamp. The disk and channel are defined
by a raised band, while the shoulder is decorated with a relief tendril. A considerable
quantity of surplus clay adheres to the interior surface of the lower part beneath the
seam, squeezed out when the two pieces
were pressed together during assembly.
This occurs more rarely in lamps of the Attic type, which suggests that different methods were used to assemble different types
of vessels ( et al. 2010, in press).
The presence of surplus clay is particularly
marked in one group of vessels from the Forum which are 7th -century copies of Anatolian types.
S. Z.
. .
120. ,
- 7 .
- : 3,6 ., : 8,4 ., : 6,1 .,
. : 2,3 ., . : 1,6 .
- ,
- , . . 1560
.
.
,
. ,

( . Abadie-Reynal,
Sodini 1992, 74, . 31, . L46).
,

( 2001, 155, . 20).

, ,
.
208
.
: - .. 1996, 528,
. 10.
. .

- 7th c.
diameter of disk 2.3 cm, diameter of base 1.6
cm
inv. no. 1560
Intact oval lamp. A raised band defines the
disk and channel, while the shoulder is decorated with a radial pattern of raised ribs.
The base is a small raised ring, carelessly
executed, while at the back of the body
three parallel raised bands run down from
the handle (for parallel see Abadie-Reynal,
Sodini 1992, 74, fig. 31, no. L46). The vessel is
covered with an off-white slip, the lower part
badly flaked, and retains signs of use around
the wick hole, as do a series of identical
or similar lamps from Thessaloniki's Agora
( 2001, 155, fig. 20). The upper
part of the vessel marginally overhangs the

slightly smaller lower part, while clay from
the top half covers the seam on the outside.
The pouring and wick holes were worked after the vessel was removed from the mould.
Published in: - et al. 1996, 528,
fig. 10c.
S. Z.
121.

121. Part of a glazed clay lamp
- 10 .
- . : 2,9 ., . : 7,7 ., .
: 6,7 ., . : 3,7 .
- ,
- ,
. . 538
- 10th c.
extant width 6.7 cm, diameter of base 3.7 cm
inv. no. 538
,
. , ,

. (
. Broneer 124, 292, . 207,
. 1522. Abadie-Reynal, Sodini 1992, 85, .
14, . L91. Motsianos 2003, . 115, . 2-3).
,
,
.
Open saucer-shaped lamp. The semicircular

crown in the centre has a small
round hole in the front part, while the vertical oval ribbon handle rises from the back
of the vessel to the top of the crown. The
whole surface of the lamp is covered with a
dark brown glaze (for parallels see Broneer
1930, 124, 292, fig. 207, no. 1522; Abadie-Reynal, Sodini 1992, 85, pl. 14, no. L91; Motsianos
2003, pl. 115, figs 2-3). The oil reservoir is
wheel-made, as are the attached hemispherical crown and handle.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
122.

122. Glazed wheel-made clay

lamp
-
- . : 6,8 ., . : 9,3 ., .
: 9 .
- ,
- ,
. . 503
- Post Byzantine
extant width 9 cm
inv. no. 563

. , ,

.
, ,
, ,

( .
2003, 62, . 7-8, . 7).
Double lamp with a conical element ending

in a knob in the centre of the upper lamp.
The two reservoirs are round and saucershaped, with a nozzle formed by pinching
the body, at different angles in each case.
Only the base remains of the vertical, oval,
ribbon handle that rose from the outer
surface of the lower lamp (for parallel see
2003, 62, figs 7-8, no. 7).
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
209
123.
123. Glazed wheel-made clay

lamp
-
- . : 16,5 .
- ,
- ,
. . 12683
- Post byzantine
- Extant height 16.5 cm
- Thessaloniki's Agora
inv. no. 12683

.
. ,

. , .

.
Part of an open, glazed, wheel-made lamp

with stem. The oil reservoir rests on a vertical element rising from the centre of the
saucer-shaped wick compartment. The concave, slightly conical stem forms a broad flat
base. The vertical oval handle ends on the
upper part of the stand. The interior surface of the reservoir and vertical support
element are covered with a strong greenish
glaze and off-white slip, while drops of the
glaze remain on the outside as well.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
124.

124. Part of a glazed clay lamp
-
- : 3,1 ., . : 7,7 ., : 6,9
., . : 3,7 .
- ,
- ,
. . 2290
- Post byzantine
inv. no. 2290

,
, .

, ,
. ,
.
.
Part of an open, glazed, wheel-made lamp

with saucer-shaped oil reservoir, nozzle
formed by pinching the rim, and a low, conical fitting in the centre. The stub of a concave vertical element on the lower surface
is probably the remains of a connecting element joining it to the oil reservoir and stand
beneath. The whole surface, inside and out,
is covered with a dark green glaze over an
off-white undercoat. The lamp shows extensive traces of charring.
Unpublished
S. Z.
. .
210

Βελένης, Ζαχαριάδης 2011

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Βελένης, Ζαχαριάδης 2011

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// Excavation sets of lighting devices of Late Antiquity and the Byzantine

period from Thessaloniki and the surrounding region

this period. Also, the administrative buildings

, 2001, 48. .. 2010.

79. Part of a clay lamp mould

trix should probably be dated to sometime

80. Part of a clay lamp mould

- Mid 4thmid 5th c.

Part of a clay mould with the impression of

81. Part of a clay lamp mould

Mould for the upper part of an oval lamp,

handle, while the wick hole is off-centre. The

82. Clay lamp fragment

Part of a lamp handle with large hole. The

83. Clay lamp fragment

Fragment of the nozzle and upper part of

84. Clay lamp fragment

is a residue from the working of the wick hole.

. Perlzweig 1961, 155, . 36,

85. Clay lamp fragment

Back part of a lamp. The flat shoulder is

86. Clay lamp fragment

Upper part of an oval lamp. The round disk

- First half 4th c.

traces of the seam on the original vessel.

87. Mould-made clay lamp

88. Clay lamp fragment

89. Clay lamp fragment

Part of the body, base and handle of a lamp.

continued in operation until the late 5th c.

90. Clay lamp fragment

- 2nd half 4th c.

Upper part of a lamp with a round disk

91. Clay lamp fragment

- 2nd half 4th c.

Handle and part of the body of a lamp. The

Upper part of an oval lamp. Barely visible on

93. Clay lamp fragment

- Mid 4thearly 5th c.

A fragment of the front part of the upper

92. Clay lamp fragment

besides being carelessly made it also differs

94. Clay lamp fragment

- Mid 4thmid 5th c.

Back part of a lamp. The surviving part of

95. Clay lamp fragment

Part of a lamp with a saucer-shaped disk

of good fortune rather than a trademark, as

96. Clay lamp with part of a

Part of a round lamp with saucer-shaped

97. Clay lamp fragment

Front part of a lamp with round body and

(. 2010, 223, . 15,

a seven-branched candlestick between

98. Clay lamp fragment

Handle and lower part of the body of an

between grooves, displays an impressed

99. Clay lamp fragment

Back part of an undecorated oval lamp with

100. Mould-made clay lamp

101. Clay lamp fragment

Part of an almond-shaped lamp. The disk

102. Applied clay ornament

103. Mould-made clay lamp