Apulian Pottery in Messapian Contexts

Apulian red-figure vases are present in Messapia especially in funerary contexts, while they rarely appear in cultual contexts. The chapter deals the Apulian Pottery (IV century BC) in the framework of the Messapian context. The topic is progressively developed through the themes of the Funerary Rituals and the Methodologies and Analyses of Finds (Distribution Patterns and Quantitative Analysis, Vase Shapes and Distribution, Functions and Vase-Shapes). Moreover, the Very Important Archaeological Sites (Vaste, Egnazia and Rudiae) are analyzed in deeper detail. The krater, included in only some adult male grave assemblages, is the most prevalent shape during the first half of the fourth century B.C. The relatively low total number of vases suggests that Apulian red-figure was likely a pricy commodity, reserved for a small circle of Messapian elites.