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M.G. Abramzon (Magnitogorsk), O.L. Gunchina (Sennoy), S.N. Ostapenko (Moscow) – Lead Tessera from Phanagoria

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Abstract

In 2017, a lead tessera with a bull’s head, decorated with garlands/wreath of ears was found during the excavations conducted by a team of the Phanagorian Mission of IA RAS at the city-site of Phanagoria (“The Lower Town” Site). This fi nd belongs to the number of the so-called Taman tesserae. Such tesserae were spread in the Taman Peninsula, mainly the area of Phanagoria and Hermonassa, at least with the Semibratnee Settlement. The symbolism of the images depicted on the Phanagorian tessera suggests association with sacrifi ce during the festival of Buphonia (Dipolia) . The bucranium decorated with garlands hanging down from horns certifi es the bull was the sacrifi cial animal. A wreath of ears links to Zeus and it is associated with the barley mixed with wheat to be a sacrifi cial food laying on the altar for the sacral bull. Graffi to ΔIП on the obverse allows us to suggest it is the abbreviation of name of the festival of Dipolia (Διπόλιος). The paleography allows us to carefully date the tesserae to the time gap from the late 5th century to the mid-4th century BC. The tessera is pierced which is to be a sign of maturity when using it.

Keywords

Bosporus, Phanagoria, Taman lead tesserae, Late Classical period

Mikhail G. Abramzon, Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russia This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Olga L. Gunchina, State Historical and Archaeological Museum-Reserve “Phanagoria”, Russia This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sergey N. Ostapenko, Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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