A Group of Late Roman Unguentaria Found in Perge Stadium

Abstract

This study focuses on 68 terracotta unguentaria discovered during the excavation conducted at the Perge stadium. Monograms were identified in 11 of these. It is understood that the artifacts in question are of the “Late Roman Period” unguentarium type, which was widely used throughout the Mediterranean region in the Late Antique Period. These unguentaria, known to have been in use in the Mediterranean region from the 5th century AD until the mid-7th century AD, and functionally recognized in the literature as vessels used by Christian pilgrims to carry holy waters or oils, exhibit diversity in the discovery areas in Perge. These pieces found in the stadium area were not recovered as context finds. All of these finds were identified together with mixed context within the filled soil. It has been determined that the unguentaria, which are the subject of the article, can be divided into four ware groups in terms of their clay substances. Monogrammed examples differ within themselves. These differences were studied by dividing them into subgroups: x-shaped, cross-centered, block and exceptional. It is noteworthy that almost all of the pieces without monograms are broken at the rim, while the monogrammed pieces are broken near the seal. Taking this into consideration, it has been thought that the breaks of these artifacts, considered as part of a possible ritual, may be significant in the context of sacred finds.