Стаття присвячена попередньому розгляду невеликої колекції графіті на фрагментах різних
типів посуду з останніх розкопок західної околиці Ольвії Понтійської (так званому передмістя) у
2015—2020 рр., та введенню їх до наукового обігу.
Акцентується увага на визначенні основних груп
графіті та їх особливостях.
This paper is preliminary review of a small collection
of graffiti from the latest excavations on the western
outskirts of Olbia Pontica (the so-called «suburbs»)
in 2015—2020, and their introduction into scientific
circulation.
The excavations were conducted by the Olbia International
Archaeological Expedition led by A. V. Bujskikh
as the part of Ukrainian-German multidisciplinary
project (co-directors A. V. Bujskikh and
J. Fornasier). The researches on the suburbs were
headed by A. G. Kuzmischev and J. Fornasier. Over
six years of research in various cultural strata and in
the fillings of half-dugouts, pits and other objects more
than 50 graffiti have been found, inscribed mainly on
the fragments of Attic black-lacquered tableware of the
5th—4th centuries BC. Emphasis is placed on determining
the main types of inscriptions and their features.
Regardless of the year and location of discovery they
are divided into five groups: A. Abbreviated anthroponyms
or individual words; B. Initials of proper names
or one-letter marks; C. Graffiti on treated ostracons;
D. Various digital signs and records; E. Graffiti of unclear
meaning. The collection under study significantly
supplemented the source base of the small epigraphy of
the Olbia polis. However, no original, rare and to some
extent important informative inscriptions which were
recorded in temenos, residential neighborhoods, in
some settlements and in Borisfen have been found yet
here. In addition the damage of many graffiti makes
impossible to interpret them reliably. In no one case
we could identify reliably the inscriptions dedicated to
any deities. Instead, the large number of abbreviated
names and initials of the owners of dishes coincides
with a significant import of Attic black-lacquered ceramics
in the life of the inhabitants of the suburbs in
the 5th—4th centuries BC. Despite the relatively limited
number, processed ostracons have replenished this
category of Olbia votive finds by the original graffiti
of magical significance. At the same time, the fact that
in general in the suburbs is a lot of graffiti with digital
markings which are most often attributed to traders,
deserves special attention. Of course, in the future, all
the graffiti from the suburbs need a more detailed visual
study both as the fragments of ceramics and their
exact professional sketches, and comparative analysis
of this type of inscriptions from many ancient Greek
sites.
