![]() The author associates both types with the transport of food supplies for the army ( annona militaris). A similar attempt was made by O. Karagiorgou for two of the most widespread types of Early Byzantine amphorae – the Late Roman 1 and 2 (LRA1 and LRA2). Based on Macrobius’ “Saturnalia”, A. Opaiţ endeavoured to establish a link between the shape and the content of ancient amphorae (Opaiţ 2007, p. 101). The Late Roman amphoraeĤThe great variety of amphorae that have survived from the Hellenistic and the Roman periods and their shapes have provided information about their content, its quality and the region of origin. Other products transported in amphorae were salted fish, fish sauce, honey, incense, and terebinth resin (Karagiorgou 2001, pp. 138‑139). The church was a big consumer of wine and oil, since both were used for communion, blessing and treatment of the sick (Noonan & Kovalev 1997, pp. 75, 77 1999, pp. 123, 131‑133). Icons and jewels were coated with a varnish obtained by mixing melted amber and oil. Olive oil was used for illumination (burned in lamps) and for cooking. ![]() Whatever the social status or wealth, wine was consumed with meals. The high level of wine consumption in ancient and medieval times was an aspect of the Mediterranean diet. It is worth discovering whether a change from primary to secondary use can be discerned over time.ģScholars studying amphorae from different periods agree that wine and olive oil were the most common products transported in these containers. It must be established whether the amphorae were produced to transport one or more specific products or were containers that could be used for the transport of any product. The results may not be clear, because it is often difficult to determine whether the products transported in the container at the time of discovery are related to primary or secondary use. 1 The products may have been identical to those for which the amphorae were first produced, or unrelated to their initial use.ĢIn order to better understand the economy and trade networks that existed in the Mediterranean during the Byzantine period, it is necessary to define the primary and secondary uses of amphorae through consideration of all possible information (written sources, data from archaeological excavations, epigraphy, results from chemical analyses, etc.). Thus, once the initial product contained was successfully delivered to its destination, amphorae were reused for the transport of other products as many times as possible before they were discarded (van Doorninck 1989). The production of large ceramic vessels, meant as simple containers, was a time-consuming and resource-demanding process that required a certain level of organization of highly skilled potters. They provided means for the long-distance transport of bulk goods. Like all containers, amphorae were not produced as an end in themselves. However, since they were not the actual objects of trade, they should be considered rather as indicators for the commercial relations and exchange that existed when they were in use. ![]() 1 The secondary use of amphorae in architecture as construction elements (Demangel & Mamboury 1939, (.)ġAmphorae are included in the archaeological evidence that can provide for the reconstruction of ancient economies and trade.
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