Late Antique glass vessels in life context of population of eastern black sea littoral – Colchis (NW Georgia): performance, function and trendy

Abstract

This article presents typological repertoire of late antique-early byzantine glass vessels from archeological sites of NW Georgia (mainly of historical Apsilia). They show how regional industries responded to the needs of their community in the Black Sea littoral. However, this way I made visible an ideological interaction of regional markets of Pontic areas. While the vessel forms, decoration and impact of new technologies made possible to discuss why they are eventually distinguishable from other parts of the Black Sea region. But my approach to these vessels has been influenced generally by funding context and by different communities of glass owners. Because the glass vessels become a regular part of daily life of special warriors of area and the most spectacular ones entered the wealth of military aristocracy. This gives a fairly accurate picture of their transportation purpose in Colchis. In addition, there is at least five rarest vessels with own specimen which leads to local production. Some attests considerable attention by concept originated in Mesopotamia and leads the new phenomenon attracted people in early Christianity. Out of limited vessels associated different periods, some even owned over the centuries. All this are indication that we still know very little about their specific purposes.