Hand-made Ceramic Anthropomorphous Figurines from Ancient Greek Sites of Dnister River Lower Region

Abstract

The paper treats twenty-four hand-made ceramic anthropomorphous figurines from Tyras, Nikonion, and Nadlymanske hill-fort. Assemblages and layers where they were found are dated by the period from the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD. These items are divided into two groups. The first group comprises terracottas made in Ancient Greek art style. The statuettes of the second group are analogous to the artefacts found at Getic culture sites. Several similar statuettes are also known from the late-Scythian settlements of the first centuries AD. Findings of these terracottas together with other materials testify that the Barbarians lived in the cities of the Dnister River lower region. These items were probably used in rites related to the fertility cult