Hellenistic and Roman Period Pottery from Sinabic (Dalisandos?)

Sinabic (Dalisandos?) is located in the north of the district Mut within the province of Mersin. Some modern sources suggest that it is identical with the city of Dalisandos. The settlement is located on a high hill sheltered on three sides. Some structures were identified at the base level on the hill. Apart from this, there is a large necropolis with ornamented sarcophagi, chamosoria, and rock tombs belonging to the Roman Period. Pottery from the Hellenistic and Roman Periods were found during the surveys carried out in Sinabic. Eastern Sigillata A, Cypriot Sigillata, and Lead-Glazed Ware, which constitute the imported examples, indicate the Late Hellenistic-Early Roman Period. The subject of this study is the local production pottery, which are imitations of Eastern Sigillata A and Cypriot Sigillata. Early examples of the pottery date back to the beginning of the 3rd century BC. The latest examples indicate the early 3rd century AD. No ceramic workshops or furnace for production in Sinabic and its vicinity could be determined. However, among the pots, groups that are a direct imitation of Eastern Sigillata A and Cypriot Sigillata draw attention. It shows that there was an animitator pottery workshop in Sinabic or its immediate surroundings, and that the pottery which has imported examples, was also produced locally in the settlement.