The ‘Sos’ Amphora: An Update

Abstract

Research conducted and published over the last 35 years has brought to light much new information concerning the so-called ‘SOS’ amphora, produced primarily in Attica and Euboea in the Archaic period. However, little focused work has been undertaken in the study of these vessels since Johnston and Jones' seminal work in 1978. This paper therefore provides a critical update on the production and distribution of SOS amphorae using the current data available. Included in this update is a discussion of recent research on Early Iron Age amphorae that may help situate the SOS amphora within a broader ceramic milieu. A new distribution of SOS amphorae also necessitates a reappraisal of some previously held ideas concerning their chronological patterns and the specific actors involved in their shipment. Taking into consideration the multiple spatial and temporal varieties of SOS amphorae, it can be shown that these vessels were relatively evenly deposited across the Mediterranean, from Iberia to the Levant, very early in the Archaic period. In combination with other factors, this widespread distribution may support the hypothesis that non-Greek seafarers were involved with transporting Athenian and Euboean SOS amphorae. Ultimately, it is hoped that a fresh look at this ceramic shape, however brief, might contribute to existing scholarly debates on cultural interactions and mobility within the Mediterranean basin during the Archaic period.

Tra Archeologia e Archeometria

“…L'ipotesi di una produzione dell'impasto XII in Eubea sarebbe supportata anche dalla presenza all'interno di tale gruppo di frammenti di anfore SOS e à la brosse. Tali tipologie anforiche sono note per essere prodotte in ambito ateniese ed euboico 562 , ma anche con ogni probabilità a Megara Hyblea e Pithekoussai. Escludendo, per i nostri frammenti di anfore, una produzione nelle officine ateniesi o pitecusane a causa di una 164 notevole discrepanza della quantità di Cr 563 , rimangono plausibili le produzioni da Megara Hyblea e dall'Eubea.…”