236 CHAvDAR TzOCHEv
Trade Dynamics
The type of quantitative analysis most popular in amphora studies is the calcu-
lation of relative temporal changes in the volume of trade based on the quan-
tity of amphora stamps in given time periods.^8 Several scholars have already
applied such analyses with the aim of tracing the dynamics of Thasian imports
in some cities in the Black Sea area. Avram and Poenaru-Bordea ( 1988 ) and
Avram ( 1996 : 62–84) calculated average stamps-per-year coefficients for dif-
ferent time periods, and compared their absolute variations, their variations
in relation to the average coefficient for the entire period, and the fluctua-
tions for each period in comparison with the previous one. Choosing a
different method, Conovici ( 2005 ) calculated the percentages of stamped frag-
ments in each period from the total number of stamps in the given city, thus
showing the temporal distribution of imports in the city. Unlike Avram and
Poenaru-Bordea, Conovici used time frames with an even length required by
the nature of his method. He also compared the results for Thasos with those
for Sinope and Rhodes calculated in the same way.
Both these approaches presented can give an idea of the dynamics of Thasian
imports at particular sites, and hence are useful in studies of local economies.
However, such methods can tell us little about the trade in Thasian amphoras
in general. Moreover, the results obtained from them suffer from significant
biases due to three frequently mentioned complications: the variable volumes
of the amphoras, the variable stamping ratio, and the unsettled chronology of
the stamps. The following paragraphs offer a review of these problems, as posed
specifically in the case of Thasos, as well as some solutions.Amphora Volumes
Like other classes of Greek transport amphoras, those produced on Thasos
come in various volumes. Few measurements have been made so far, but the
available data make it clear that different volume-fractions existed simulta-
neously, and standards changed over time (Monakhov 2003 : 76). Stamps did
not differ for the different fractions, meaning that two handles bearing the
same stamp may, for example, come from a 7-litre jar and a 15-litre one. In
addition, although a certain level of standardization is seen, the volumes within
the same fractions sometimes varied significantly. Thus comparing small sam-
ples of stamped fragments may lead to considerable biases in terms of quanti-
ties of products.
However, most statistical analyses operate with large assemblages, where the
differences are merged into similar average volumes. In this respect, amphoras
are comparable to boxes of nuts sold at modern marketplaces: there are large
and small boxes, and the number of nuts in each type of box is variable, but