Pages: 81-95

The antique site of Novopokrovka is in 23 kms to the north-west from Theodosia. For three field seasons of excavations 750 sq. m. were explored. On quantity of yielded materials the first place was borrowed by the amphorae sherds, that makes 72% from general number of the ceramic fragments found here. The analysis of this material has allowed to allocate the amphorae of different centers which production acted on the site from the late VI-the beginning of the V-th up to the first third of the III-rd centuries B.C. This material can form the basis for dating time of existence of the rural sites in region around Theodosia. The dynamic of wine import from the different centers of antique world on agricultural sites of the Polis is reflected as well.At an early stage of the site in the first-second quarters of the V-th century B.C. production extremely Ionian centers of Lesbos, Chios, Mende, Samos, Miletus etc. came here. On an extend of the V-th — IV-th centuries B.C. the other centers in particular South Pont of Sinope, Heraclea, Kolkhidae were added to them and so Samothrace, Rhodos, Knid, Peparet. In insignificant amount Chersonesus Taurian did import of its wine here. In the IV-th century B.C. Heraclea is especially distinguished which in volumes of the deliveries has repeatedly blocked import from the other places of the antique world. During the all period of existence of the site Chios was the constant importer of its production here. In the end of the first third of the III-rd century B.C. the import on the site came to stop. It is obvious the site was left by the population in connection with the beginning of the military conflict between the Scythians and antique states and of the Sarmatians expansion upward the Crimea. The life on it does not renew, though separate finds of amphorae fragments manufactured in Chios and Rhodos in the second half-the end of the III-rd century B.C. much come across here but they only testify to visiting this place by the nomads.

Information about author:

Alexander Gavrilov (Simferopol, Ukraine). Senior research fellow. Crimea Branch of Archaeology Institute, Ukraine National Academy of Sciences.
Е-mail: [email protected]