Notes on imitations (?) of Mediterranean vessels from the Central Bohemian oppida

Abstract

The article reconsiders the premises of a hypothesis according to which several pottery sherds found in the late La Tène oppida in central Bohemia imitate Mediterranean ceramic forms. The idea of the formal imitation of concrete vase types is questioned on the grounds of chronological and formal inconsistencies.

Instead of a problematic theory of formal imitation, functional inspiration is proposed as a more appropriate mechanism to explain the reception of the Mediterranean influence. In one case, only change of the object's chronology (to the early La Tène period) could help it maintain its status of an imitation.

Keywords

• La Te`ne period – Bohemia – Italy – pottery – imitation – oppida