The Significance of European Ceramics in Western Black Sea Trade Network Discovered During The Excavations in Sinop Balatlar Group Construction

A constant settlement since ancient times, Sinop is one of the important coastal towns. Findings gained in the excavations which have been carried out in the leadership of Prof. Dr. Gülgün K？ro？lu in a region named as Balatlar Construction Group in the center of Sinop presents fundamental data in terms of art history. Ceramic findings revealed in the Sinop Balatlar Construction Group excavations are remarkable in terms of not only their clay, form and decoration but also variety. It is observed that samples imported from Europe are in considerable numbers besides Ottoman period samples which have been generated and used in a course of time starting from 14th century until today. Some tile groups especially similar with the findings of Smyrna (？zmir) Agora have been discovered. Of course, it isn’t surprising that there are similar ceramics in two significant coastal towns in the same centuries. It is seen that there is a considerable number of English and French samples within the imported tiles. Additionally, Taches Noires (black spotted) named as Albisola ceramics which are produced many numbers in Italy and known to be produced in several European cities as well, have been obtained. However, it’s surprising, thought-provoking and disputable that there aren’t samples of Italian majolika. Therefore, the question of “why archeological datas relating to Cenoese and Venezia city states which were active in Black Sea trade as from 13th century haven’t been found?” is being discussed and several suggestions are being offered. In this study, besides the evaluation of general characteristic of European imported ceramics discovered in Sinop Balatlar Construction Group excavation, the importance of Sinop city in the Black Sea trade network is emphasized