Intaljo s rta Ploče u svjetlu novih saznanja

Abstract

During the archaeological excavations in Cape Ploča conducted from 1996 to 1998, numerous personal items were found besides the ceramics, including eight engraved gems. One of them, worked in the intaglio technique, is made of carnelian and oval shaped, and for the lack of analogies hitherto interpreted as a “highly stylized chimera”. The article brings new insights that are primarily based on stylistic analysis and iconographic reinterpretation. The intaglio’s origin has been redefined: instead of the previous assumption about its Egyptian provenance, the author has identified it as stemming from central Italy. Moreover, a new date of origin has been proposed, namely the 2nd century BC, which complements the hypothesis on Greek seafarers as the visitors of Diomedes’ shrine and, more precisely, the inhabitants of Greater Greece as its potential users.