Ceramic Kilns in the Late Antique Town on Sveti Atanas Cape (Modern Day Byala, Bulgaria)
Ceramic Kilns in the Late Antique Town on Sveti Atanas Cape (Modern Day Byala, Bulgaria)

Summary/Abstract: The Late Antique town on the Sveti Atanas cape, near the modern daytown of Byala, Varna region, was established in the late 4th or the early 5th c. and existed until the beginning of the 7th c. AD. The regular archaeological excavations, conducted over the last decade, produced evidence for various artisanal activities, which took place in the intramural area of the town. One of the most securely attested crafts was ceramic production.The five kilns, which were discovered on three different locations within the fortified zone of the settlement, were used for the production of domestic pottery, oil lamps, fishnet weights and probably ceramic pipes. At least part of the town’s supply of building ceramics came from a separately located production site, situated on the south end of the Sveti Atanas bay, where a large tile kiln was in operation during the 6th century AD.The kilns from the intramural area of the Late Antique town were built in techniques and with materials common for the Greek derived traditions in this craft. The tile kiln from the bay of Sveti Atanas on the other hand was a representation of the Roman brought practices in ceramic technology, which were attested along the Western Black Sea coast much later than in other parts of the Balkans.

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