Corinthian pottery of the Archaic period in southern Italy: an overview

The paper examines the distribution of Corinthian imports and related local pottery along the Ionian coast of southern Italy during the 7th and 6th centuries BCE, focusing on the Achaean centres of Sibari, Kroton, and Kaulonia and their territories. The data, drawn from domestic, artisanal, and sacred contexts, reveal an initial predominance of Corinthian imports, followed by the emergence of local workshops inspired by Greek prototypes. Sibari stands out as a major centre of attraction and redistribution, closely connected with the sanctuary of Timpone della Motta, while Kaulonia and Kroton display a gradual development of independent production. The study highlights how Corinthian pottery, initially dominant, was progressively replaced by local products and by Attic, East Greek and Laconian imports, reflecting the economic, cultural, and ritual dynamics that accompanied the formation of Achaean colonial communities in Magna Graecia.