Ionische Kapitelle auf Prokonnesos

On the island of Marmara (ancient Prokonnesos), in the area of the rubble heaps of ancient marble quarries, among other building elements, 57 Ionic column capitals were found. In their various stages of manufacture, they represent a unique ensemble of ancient capital production, ranging from the Roman Imperial period to the Theodosian era. Through the present investigation it can be proven that in Roman times the Ionic capitals were executed as semi-finished products of Prokonessos in order to elaborate the decorations on the building itself. In late antiquity, on the other hand, the capitals were completely finished in the workshops of the marble quarries on the island. During this period, when productivity in the quarries was high and exports showed considerable growth rates, an Ionic column capital type characteristic of Prokonessos was developed. Several workshops located in different parts of the island produced this type with slight variations in craftsmanship. The technique used in working the blocks is based on a craft tradition practiced since the Roman period, which has now been extended by some rationalizing and thus production-accelerating methods. The study provides essential new insights into ancient and late antique building ornamentation, but also into the production processes of Ionic capitals and the ancient working world.