From the Rhone to the Danube: the ceramic production centre at Butovo and its connections with Gaul in light of a rediscovered medallion mould
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32028/rcrf-acta-48-pp.479-488%20Keywords:
Moesia Inferior , Butovo , medallion mould , Cybele , Rhone valleyAbstract
Trade connections between Moesia Inferior and the Western Roman provinces have long been studied and evaluated, however this was mostly done by taking into account the ready-to-use imported fine wares, oil lamps and amphora-borne commodities. A ceramic mould with a depiction of Cybele riding a lion, discovered at the industrial site underneath the modern village of Butovo (Northern Bulgaria), could help to shed more light on the importation of technical knowledge as well. Locally produced moulds and medallions with nearly identical depictions were found at sites in the Rhone valley (Southeastern France) and it seems very likely that this was also the point of origin for the Moesian find.
The aim of this contribution is to assess the Butovo mould in the light of this newly acquired data and in the broader context of the Moesian ceramic centre’s production and chronology, thus looking for further evidence about the foreign influences in its repertoire.
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