Background: First identified as a kiln site by Empereur and Picon’s survey (their ‘Soles-Ouest’ kiln), LRA1 production was confirmed by Caroline Autret in 2009–10 (Autret, Yaǧci and Rauh 2010).

Location: The Soli-Pompeiopolis workshop was close to the harbor, “100 m west of the [city’s] ancient harbor mole” and ca. 650 m from “the center of Soli itself” (Autret, Yaǧci and Rauh 2010: 203, 204).

Number of kilns: Unknown, but perhaps two. Empereur and Picon write that they observed 'double installation' at the site during their survey, but then only describe a single kiln (1986: 241). Excavations in the 21st century revealed no intact kiln structures.

Period of activity: Based on the morphological features of the examples studied, the LRA 1 production at Soli-Pompeiopolis began around the late 4th or early 5th c., and continued up to the early 7th c.

Description of facilities: Unknown, as construction work destroyed any kiln structures.

Typology: Production started with LRA1 Type A and expanded with the LRA1 Type B. The workshop also produced roof tiles and basins with a Y-shaped rim in section. Amphora stands were also manufactured, which is similar to the production of both amphora and stand at Elaiussa Sebaste, situated about 45 km southwest along the shore.

Local fabric: The entire assemblage exhibits a relatively fine fabric with color ranging from a yellowish beige (5Y 7/3-8/3) to a somewhat orange-beige tint (10YR 6/4). All samples exhibit sparse, very fine fragments of silvery micas, very fine brown speck inclusions, as well as small lime holes. Some sherds also display grayish-white inclusions. 

Distribution: LRA1s that match the macroscopic fabric characteristics of Soli-Pompeiopolis have been identified in Cyprus, Cilicia, Yassı Ada, Egypt, Crete, Crimea, Moesia (?), Thrace, and Dalmatia (see Autret 2022: 166–168; note that these parallels are tentative and have not been petrographically confirmed).

Notes. A note from the excavator, Caroline Autret: I should specify that so far only a short study of the Soli kiln site has been done, so the results presented here are preliminary. There are not yet any drawings due to lack of time. Research should be continued in order to identify the locally manufactured typology. It would also be very helpful for the identification of local ceramics to conduct analyses of the clay composition, and if possible to compare them with other LRA 1 manufactured along the shore of Cilicia.