Amphorae are large vessels that were used, also in Graeco-Roman times, for the storage and, more importantly, transport of goods, especially wine, olive oil and garum (fish sauce). Each year, fragments of such amphorae are abundantly found in Sagalassos where one category dominates, that is, amphorae in our so-called Fabric 4. These were produced between the late fourth and early seventh century AD. Although the origin of these amphorae is as yet unknown, their manufacture presumably occurred in the Sagalassos territory.

In recent years, leaf impressions were identified on 18 individual Fabric 4 amphorae. Although at first it was considered to be an oddity, it can now be confidently stated that these impressions were applied deliberately since all present the same characteristics. Dr. Leo Vanhecke (National Botanic Garden of Belgium) was able to identify two species, Styrax officinalis L. and Vitis vinifera. The first species, a shrub, produces a gum that, according to many Greek and Roman authors was an important ingredient for the manufacturing of perfume and medication. The latter is vine, and wine was a widely distributed and consumed product in Antiquity.

Both identified species may well have been grown for exploitation. The coinciding of amphorae production and agricultural exploitation (where the amphorae were used for packaging the products) is a known scenario for Antiquity and it may have occurred also in this case. After pruning, the leaves were likely carried to the location where the amphorae were manufactured, perhaps the same location where the gum and/or grapes were further processed. Although the reason why the impressions were applied is not yet clear, the identification of the leaves suggests that they were part of an economic activity, possibly of some importance. Pisidia (the Sagalassos region) and Isauria are repeatedly mentioned in classical sources as regions for the provenance of the fragrant styrax-gum.

Dr. Philip Bes
Dr. Leo Vanhecke

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