A Stamp on the Type of the Zeest 80 Amphora from the British Museum
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The type of Zeest 80 amphora, commonly unearthed in the settlements of the Roman Imperial Period and Late Antiquity and garrisons on the Danube coast, differs majorly from the contemporary ones with important differences. While these are mostly morphological features, the function of the settlements where the amphorae were found is indicating another distinctive characteristic. The relationship between Zeest 80 amphora, detected in settlements of a significant military population/ character (limes) and the supply system of the Roman Empire (annona militaris) has recently attracted academic interest. Also, the increasing number of the fragments of this type of amphora found in Constantinople and its surroundings with present studies can designate that the type of the amphora may have been utilized as a member of the supply system (annona civicia) of the capital city.The stamps and inscriptions on this type of amphorae are also a major part of such interest as well. The previously documented stamps have been predominantly found in Constantinople and its surroundings and exceptionally in the coastal regions of southern Marmara and Bulgaria. A stamp that was not included in the previous works on the stamps and was not defined as amphora/the type of the Zeest 80 has been situated in the British Museum since 1874. The previous researches reveal that the Zeest 80 amphorae bearing stamps are known rarely, however, the stamps are various compared to their quantity. Besides, it is possible to say that this type of stamp is quite a few. It is evident that the stamp had been five times applied on the neck to form a cross. In the scene on the stamp, Archangel Michael is depicted standing and holding a cruciform elongated scepter in his left hand. Behind the wings, there is an inscription and in the other direction, there is a block -monogram. In the present study, this stamp is to be examined chronologically, iconographically, and epigraphically and it is to be detailed within the scope of the groups of the classification and die of the Zeest amphorae stamps.