Abstrakt
The Late Antique amphorae known in Bulgaria as Kuzmanov XIV, sub-variant I and in Romania as Opaiț B V relate, actually, to a one container, which has been until now treated separately in both of these countries. The amphorae are of small proportions (rim d. 40-70 mm, body d. 100-120 mm and height 300-350 mm), brown-red fabric with dark red (iron oxide) particles, white (lime) inclusions and surface covered by whitish coating (engobe).
Paraschiv in 2014 suggested, they were produced locally in Scythia Minor for short-distance transport of low-quality wine, as he bases his interpretation on presumption, these amphorae were found only in Scythia Minor. However, if we add the finds from Bulgaria, the range of their presence enlarges, covering other areas of the Diocese of Thrace, both coastline and inland, respectively of Moesia Secunda and Haemimontus (e.g.
Varna, Kastel Akra, Balchik, Early Byzantine fortress at Vojvoda in Shumen region and Dodoparon in Yambol Region). Additionally, the organic residue analysis of the two Dodoparon vessels (by Polla - Springer -Gruber) showed oil as their prime content and, at the same time, the (so far preliminary) petrographic analyses (by Bonato - Amicone) of the same containers confirmed the place of production to be the area of Dobrudzha, so indeed Scythia Minor.
These results might let us to reconsider the distribution pattern of these amphorae produced in Scythia Minor as well as their content.