NEW INSIGHTS ON THE ARCHAIC ‘CORINTHIAN B’ AMPHORAE FROM GELA (SICILY): THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ANALYSES OF CORFU RAW MATERIALS

Abstract

In this work we report the results of the analysis of clay and sand raw materials collected from the Corfu

island (Kanoni area, Ionian Sea). The mineralogical, petrographic and chemical data were compared with

those of some archaic „Corinthian B‟ amphorae (late 6th – mid 5th c.BC) found in the archeological excavations

at Gela (Sicily), and with those of local common wares and tiles from Sibari (ancient Sybaris/Thurii), in

southern Italy. Indeed, the „Corinthian B‟ transport amphorae, largely diffused in the Mediterranean basin

during archaic and classical periods, are supposed to come from several possible centers, including mainly

Corfu and Sibari. The combination of both chemical and petrographic investigations strongly supports the

archaeological hypothesis of the presence of Corfu products among the archaic „Corinthian B‟ amphorae

from Gela.