A cup above: Production and distribution of Ionian cups in the chora of Metaponto

Abstract

This thesis analyzes examples of a specific class of Greek pottery from the ancient city of Metaponto. ‘Ionian cups’ were common in the Late Archaic period across the Greek world. As a result, a well-established typology exists for these vessels, allowing them to be dated with considerable accuracy. This study identifies the type and date of Ionian cups from the ‘chora’ or countryside of Metaponto. This information is then used to date sites found in the countryside through archaeological survey. By studying a single class of pottery with a narrow chronological window, it is possible to assess the occupation and development of the chora through the lens of pottery analysis. Examining the distribution of Ionian cups in the countryside reveals that the Greeks preferred sites with high elevation, good soil, and plentiful water. Access to cultivable land drove the settlement of the landscape more than proximity to the city center. This pattern of occupation indicates that a mixture of cereal-based agriculture and pastoralism were practiced in the 6th century with considerable success. Sites with Ionian cups were among the most prosperous in the countryside, marking a distinct stage in the city’s development. Investigation of this material has facilitated understanding of how the Greeks lived in the countryside, and how they exploited the landscape.