Ancient Mediterranean

Digital Project

Fragmentary ship model

Cat. No.

C87

Date

Cypro-Archaic

Findspot

Amathus, Tomb 130

Dimensions

L: 6.8 cm; W: 4.6 cm; H: 1.9 cm

Medium

terracotta boat model, half missing. No traces of painted decoration

Accession Number

Limnassol District Museum AM T 130 (LM 502/82)

References

Carbillet 2005: 79, n. 11; Dolan 2023: 450-451, no. 52; Karageorghis 1987a: 12, no. 137, pl. XXVII: 137; Tytgat 1989: 28, no. 82

Low flat hull with a flat gunwale. The preserved post rises vertically and shows a slight concave edge near the terminal, ending in a short tapering extremity slightly pointing outward.

Near square chamber (L: 3.6 m; W: 3.7 m ; H: 2 m) with rounded corners and the stomion situated in the east side. The dromos is oriented to the east and has four steps. Most of the preserved vases are from the Cypro-Classical period. There are however many fragments of Cypro-Archaic pottery.

The tomb was rich in imported pottery. The older imports are Phoenician and include a small Red Slip jug (87.2), a Plain Ware vase, a Red Slip lamp, and a complete amphora. The jug and lamp possibly date to 750-700 BC, while the amphora is somewhat later. ca. 700-600 BC. (Tytgat 1989: 28-29). These suggest an initial use for the tomb from the beginning of the archaic period. Aside from pottery, other finds include alabaster vases, bronze and iron fragments, 44 astragals, and shells.

Carbillet, A. 2005. “Cérémonies autour du thème de la navigation à Amathonte,” CCEC 35: 77-88.

Dolan, M. 2023. Ceci n'est pas un bateau: Reassessing terracotta boat models in Late Bronze and Iron Age Cyprus. University of Southhampton. Unpublished DPhil Thesis.

Karageorghis, V. 1987a. “The terracottas,” in V. Karageorghis, O. Picard and C. Tytgat (eds.) La nécropole d’Amathonte: tombes 113-367. Vol III. Nicosia: Service des antiquités de Chypre, pp. 1-52.

Tytgat, C. 1989. "Les Tombes 110-385,” In: V. Karageorghis, O. Picard and C. Tytgat (eds.) La nécropole d’Amathonte: tombes 113-367. Vol I. Nicosia: A.G. Leventis Foundation.

  • 3D Model View

  • port view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • starboard view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • top view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • bottom view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • bow view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen
  • bow inside view

    copyright icon © Cyprus Department of Antiquities. Photograph by T. Manolova Click for fullscreen