Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

ΝΕΑ PAPHOS

CYPRUS

POTTERY FINDS FROM THE HOUSE
OF AION (NORTHERN SECTOR)

Henryk Meyza

The most important strata excavated in the
2006 season were found in the western part
of the northern sector of the House of Aion
(HA).1 Earlier archeological research in the
area covered Room 12E, partly excavated
in 1990 and discussed in the literature
(Daszewski 199U 80-81; Papuci-Wladyka
1995: 87-93; Lichocka, Meyza 2001: 172-
176; Meyza 2007: 81, 126, PI. 15: K8 -
31.1 cat. 5 (1895)). Room 12W situated
further to the west was explored partly in
1986, but it was impossible in the upper
levels to discern this room from the
Corridor=Room 4E; the dividing wall
between the two was preserved below Floor
I (Daszewski 1987: 687-688; 1992: 312-
315; Papuci-Wladyka 1995: 94-99;
Lichocka, Meyza 2001: 177-178, Fig. 3.9
= Meyza 2007: 125, PI. 3: CRSW?, Cat. 2
(1945); the Cypriot Red Slip doubtful
piece may in fact have been found in room
N of Corridor (Courtyard 36)). Room 33
was dug partly in 1995 (Daszewski 1996:
99), when a small strip along the southern
wall of the next unit to the north,
Courtyard 36, was also uncovered. The
sequence of strata has been described by
B. Lichocka and the present author (2001).
A layer of crushed but complete or
almost complete vessels together with

a large quantity of coins was found 0.30-
0.48 m below the top of the wall dividing
Room 12 from Rooms 7 and 14, i.e., NEH
from HA (excluding a narrow strip along
this wall, corresponding to the trench
visible in the section where contemporary
finds go deeper). The pottery included
a complete bowl of Phocaean ware (LRC)
Vaag form B2 = no clear corresponding
form in Hayes' typology, perhaps 1/9 (Vaag
2000: PI. 6; Johnson 1988: Figs 7-8.131;
Hayes 1972: 325-327, 342, Figs 65 A, 70:
9-1) [Fig. 1} and amphorae of Late Roman
date (Meyza forthcoming a). The latter in-
clude: 4th/5th century Keay 25.2/spatheion
1 of African production (intermediate
form, with dia. c. 22 cm but button foot,
seen by M. Bonifay and classified as early


Fig. 1. Bowl of Phocaean ware (LRC)
(Photo W. jerke)

1 The northern part was described by the present author as a separate building, the North-eastern House (NEH), in
Lichocka, Meyza 2001: 169.

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