The Extramural Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Cyrene, Libya, Final Reports, Volume VI

Part I: The Coins; Part II: Attic Pottery

By (author) T V Buttrey By (author) Ian McPhee

Book cover: The Extramural Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Cyrene, Libya, Final Reports, Volume VI

Extent: 146 pages

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Museum

Subjects: Mediterranean Archaeology, Numismatics

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(January 1998)

ISBN: 9780924171482

8.46 x 10.98 inches

Price: $49.95

In stock

Coins, prized for their chronological value, hold significance in archaeological contexts. Their discovery, especially silver or gold coins, is welcomed for their well-preserved state. Additionally, Red Figure pottery, while not as chronologically decisive, contributes to dating and garners attention for its quality and diverse forms.


Coins, for reasons that do not always make sense, are often treated by field excavators as more reliable chronological indexes than other classes of artifacts. This always makes their discovery a welcome event, especially when they are silver or gold, which tend to survive in the ground in a more recognizable state than their bronze counterparts. The Red Figure pottery does not have quite the same chronological relevance as the coins but does on occasion contribute to the dating of archaeological contexts. Its often high quality and interesting variety of shapes has already generated commentary elsewhere in addition to what is presented here.

  • By (author) T V Buttrey
  • By (author) Ian McPhee