Findings of Bases of Glass Goblets/Chalices on the Island of Majsan

Abstract

Bases of Glass Goblets/Chalices were found at the archaeological site of Majsan, a presently deserted islet of a mere 0.153 sq. km in the Pelješac Channel. This unique site hosts a villa rustica, which in Late Antiquity was transformed into a monastery/sanctuary and subsequently flourished. Literary sources from the 11th century suggest that, as a monastery/sanctuary, the site was visited for centuries. This holy place faded from memory until C. Fisković began archaeological research there in the 1960s, with its former identity preserved only in its place name. Approximately one hundred fragments of chalice bases were found next to the memoria, cemetery, and adjoining rooms of this architectural complex. These included fragments of footed beakers or chalices made of light green glass. Fisković did not assign precise dates to the artifacts but rather attributed them to the Early Christian period in general. We suggest that chalice lamps were used individually on the grave or altar. The organization of space and the arrangement of openings (windows of the memoria and the door of the yard) towards its central grave suggest that there was an intention to make the holy place visible, or most likely the light that burns above the holy place - central grave.