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Roman pottery production centres in Crikvenica and Lopar (island of Rab) in the light of new geophysical and geoarchaeological research

The paper presents the results of an extensive geophysical survey conducted in Crikvenica and in Podšilo Bay (Lopar, island of Rab). The survey was performed in the framework of the project RED - Roman Economy in Dalmatia [HRZZ, IP-11-2013-3973]. During the survey Mala Geoscience/ABEM ground – penetrating radar system was used, with the application of bimodal screened transmitting antenna, with a nominal frequency of 470 MHz, while both sites were also surveyed by a Bartington Grad601 gradiometer. In Crikvenica's case, the main aim was to identify the extension of the Roman pottery workshop discovered in 1983 to the north of the modern town, on the site Igralište (playground). Systematic excavation carried out from 2006 to 2015 by the Institute of Archaeology from Zagreb allowed the reconstruction of the complex's layout and many production features. The excavations were concentrated within an area of ca 1, 800 m², allowing an estimation that the uncovered area could represent 1/3 to 1/2 of the complex's actual extension, which must have stretched further south, below today's football field. An extensive geophysical survey was carried out in the area covered by the modern playground. Magnetic and GPR measurements revealed a number of anomalies that can be associated with anthropogenic activity at different periods, both in modern and ancient times, also revealing, in the north-western part, a concentration of anomalies that can very likely be interpreted as the remains of pottery kilns. In 2017, selected areas of Podšilo Bay located in Lopar, on the island of Rab, were geophysically surveyed. The main aim was to document the existence of Roman architecture in two areas of the bay's hinterland, previously identified on the basis of surface finds. The geophysical survey revealed the presence of underground remains of ancient structures, probably connected with a ceramic production centre discovered near the present seashore. One of the most interesting discoveries is the location of another Roman pottery kiln, nearby the one excavated in 2009.

Pottery production ; Crikvenica ; Lopar ; geophysics ; geoarchaeology

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