The plain ware rhyta in the form of a he-goat dating to the Hellenistic period (310-30 B.C) belong to the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. The three zoomorphic rhyta are displayed in Figure below. They are characterized by a moulded solid head with twisted horns and ‘beard’. They have well-modelled ears, eyes and muzzle; punctures on forehead. The wheel-made cylindrical body is supported on four short legs; short tail. Basket handle at the back of the neck. On the breast there is a short narrow spout; filling-hole at the back of the base of handle. Linear incisions, made before firing, are present over the entire surface of the body.
The three plain ware rhyta resemble one another strikingly, which suggests that were made in the same workshop. Their fabric and style of decoration recall the animal shaped Cypriote rattles of the same period.
MNEMOSYNE’s Research
Commitment
The three plain ware
rhyta in the form of a he-goat have been identified as ‘feeding bottles’,
however, there is no analytical data to support the claim. Biomolecular
components of organic materials associated with human activity may have
survived on the inner part of the potteries. MNEMOSYNE’s research plan aims on
the identification of the nature and origins of any organic residues present
using analytical organic chemical techniques that can reveal the principal use
of the rhyta. The application of separation (chromatographic) and
identification (mass spectroscopic) techniques can reveal preserved and altered
biomolecular components of organic residues that hold archaeological
information. In this way we can answer the long-held archaeological hypothesis
and offer a new perspective on the study of human activity in the past.
MNEMOSYNE research group will also focus on the digital reconstruction of the
rhyta through photogrammetry. Group 3, after receiving the processed and structured data from
Groups 1 and 2 (D5.2, sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.2.1, 4.2.2) will be able to
create a virtual exhibition of the zoomorphic rhyta, through the implementation
of XR technologies that can provide to users of different background the unique
opportunity to examine them closely, employing at the same time, innovative, user-centered
storytelling methodologies (D5.2, sections 4.3.5 and 4.3.6).
Karageorghis, Vassos, and John Boardman. Ancient art from Cyprus: in the collection of George and Nefeli Giabra Pierides. Kapon Editions, 2002.
Evershed, Richard P. “Organic residue analysis in archaeology: the archaeological biomarker revolution.” Archaeometry 50.6 (2008): 895-924.
