Byzantine glazed pottery from the excavations of Çobankale in Yalova: 2019 season

Abstract

Cobankale is a building located in the Altinova District of Yalova Province, a significant part of which has survived to the present day. Clive Foss published the first research on the Cobankale. Archaeological excavations in the region were initiated in 2017 under the direction of the Bursa Archaeology Museum. During the excavations in 2017 and 2018, as a result of the complete cleaning of the inner castle, a cistern structure has been identified. In the 2019 season, excavations were carried out in the cistern and its surroundings, In this paper, the Byzantine Glazed Pottery recovered during these studies was analysed. 110 sherds were catalogued and 105 of them were classified under "Zeuxsippus Family Ware". 3 bases and 1 amorphous body are polychrome incised decorated pieces, which resemble these ceramics but with differences in paste characteristics. These vessels exhibit some characteristics of both the Zeuksippus Family Ware and the group known as Polychrome Sgraffito Ware, suggesting that they may be transitional productions between the two groups. It is deemed possible to date them to the late 13th century or the beginning of the 14th century, and it is suggested that they should be subject to further discussion. Apart from this, only one ring base was found which is Glazed White Ware. It has been determined that the ceramics used between the early 12th and 14th centuries are abundant in the Cobankale ceramic findings.