Τούμπα Θεσσαλονίκης : η παραγωγή πορφυρής βαφής κατά την εποχή του χαλκού
Part of : Το Αρχαιολογικό Έργο στη Μακεδονία και στη Θράκη ; Vol.19, No.1, 2005, pages 173-186
Issue:
Pages:
173-186
Parallel Title:
The Thessaloniki Tell : the production of purple dye in the bronze age
Abstract:
The use and the importance of dye is attested as early as the Geometric period, and there is important evidence that the production of purple dye dates from the Middle Minoan period. Nonetheless, the archaeological data from many prehistoric settlements are relatively obscure. The discovery of a small quantity of murex shells is frequently interpreted as evidence that the molluscs were used as food, as it was believed until recently that huge quantities of them, together with specially equipped workshops, were required to produce even a small amount of dye. However, modern research has shown that dye production is feasible with just a few shells and that originally it was probably a domestic activity carried out without special equipment or facilities. This study focuses on the archaeological evidence of purple-dye production in the settlement on the Thessaloniki tell. The data come from an analysis of the ostreological material together with a study of the spatial distribution of the shells, specifically the crushed murex shells, and the context in which they were found. The data show that already at the end of the Middle Bronze Age there is evidence of the production of purple dye on the tell, an activity that continued until the end of the Late Bronze Age. The currently available data suggest that the dye was produced on a small scale to meet the local needs of the community, as has been shown to be the case with a number of other products in the settlement, including the ‘luxury’ Mycenaean-style pottery and the metal objects.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
εποχή του Χαλκού, Θεσσαλονίκη
Notes:
Περιέχει εικόνες και πίνακες
