Pages: 55-63

The author examines a kiln for household ceramics, which was discovered on Sveti Atanas cape in Byala, Varna region, Bulgaria. The ceramic kiln was cleared in the horizon under the street (dated to the end of the 6th century), which was also traced in previous archaeological seasons. The kiln relates to a double-chamber structure with a vertical rod.
The upper layer of the lower chamber contained a large number of fragments of tiles and pithoi among the burnt pieces of clay and ash. Many sherds of household ceramics were found under this layer. Inside the kiln chamber, at the bottom, in the layer of ash and coal, there was one whole bowl, fragments of several deformed bowls and a whole pot. To the west of the kiln entrance, a rounded pit was excavated. A large number of fragmented ceramics (with manufacturing defects) was discovered. Three bowls are restored. At the level of the broken grid, a strongly burnt chimney was found, which was probably reused with respect to the grid construction.
A completely preserved and well-burned vessel in the shape of a cone was found in the lower chamber of the kiln. Fragments of a dozen other similar, but coarse and poorly burned conical vessels (restored four), were also found in the pit at the entrance in front of the furnace. There are several hypotheses about the use of such vessels/cones: used in ancient gardening; as polyfunctional funnels; to build a domed construction of kilns or in building construction.
The oven and ceramics date from approximately the second half of the 2nd century — mid 50s of the 3rd century, and are evidence of a new provincial pottery production center of the Roman period in the Western Black Sea region.

Keywords: Bulgaria, Byala, Sveti Atanas cape, Roman Age, centre for ceramic production, pottery kiln, bowls, pots, cones

Information about author:

Valeri Yotov (Varna, Bulgaria). Doctor of Archaeology. Varna Museum of Archaeology. Maria Louisa Blvd., 41, Varna, 9000, Bulgaria
E-mail: [email protected]