Imported pottery at the cemetery of Perati in light of the current results of Neutron Activation Analysis

Abstract

Despite the large number of ceramic vessels found at the cemetery of Perati in East Attica, the amount of imports identified in earlier studies was minimal, thus limiting our ability to investigate external connections of the site based on pottery. The present study attempts to fill this gap by reporting the results of Neutron Activation Analysis of 25 vessels, the majority of which were selected as potential imports to Perati. The analysis identified imports from Central Euboea, Laconia, Argolid, Crete and Cyprus, as well as a higher than usual share of singles and pairs. In addition to the previously recognized imports and the growing evidence for exports of pottery from East Attica, these results make it possible to reconstruct a network of reciprocal connections that the area of Perati had with numerous coastal areas of the Aegean and even beyond.