The production of western Greek amphorae in Agrigento (Southern Sicily): An archaeometric and archaeological characterisation of the late 6th-4th centuries BCE series

Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Sicily, emerges as a significant player in the ancient Mediterranean wine trade during the late 6th to 4th centuries BCE. A study combining archaeometric and archaeological methods confirms that western Greek amphorae found in Agrigento were locally produced, challenging previous assumptions about the origin of these vessels. The research, involving petrographic and chemical analyses of ceramic samples from excavations and consumption sites, reveals a high degree of homogeneity in the local ceramic pastes, derived from clays sourced nearby. This finding sheds new light on the economic development of Agrigento during its late Archaic and Classical periods, positioning it as a key hub for commercial interactions across Sicily.

Montana, G., Randazzo, L., Gasparo Morticelli, M., Baldoni, V., & Bechtold, B. (2022). The production of western Greek amphorae in Agrigento (Southern Sicily): An archaeometric and archaeological characterisation of the late 6th-4th centuries BCE series. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 45, 103627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103627