Location: East and just outside of the city of Halasarna, sitting "close to the sea and between freshwater streams" (Poulou-Papadimitriou and Didioumi 2015: 411).
Period of activity: 5th - mid 7th c. CE
Typology: LRA1, LRA2, LRA13 (also known as LRA2c), cooking pots, lamps, and unguentaria. The LRA2 was the main product of the workshop during the 5-6th centuries, and then there was a major transition which involved an increase to industrial-level production of LRA1 and LRA13 (Diamanti 2023: 275-282).
Number of kilns: At least one, but possibly more.
Description of facilities: One kiln structure has been found adjacent to Halasarna, and the large amount of wasters and misfired amphora (including some with unique stamped handles) found there implies that another might've existed within Halasarna. The kiln is circular with an inner diameter of 2.8 m and a preserved height of 1.9 m. The combustion chamber, dug directly into bedrock, was constructed of stone and mortar, covered in ceramic plates. North of the kiln, there were four rectangular rooms, some of which were used for clay preparation as seen by layers of clay on the floor and inside an in situ pithos.
Local fabric: The local fabric at Halasarna is reddish orange to the naked eye, "moderately hard, with few inclusions with the exception of whitish, gray nodules and numerous golden micas ( Munsell, reddish yellow 5YR 6/6)" (Poulou-Papadimitriou and Didioumi 2010: 742). The concentration of mica is characteristic of the local products. Under the petrographic microscope, the clay has a fine clay matrix with angular plagioclase, quartz, and mica components. Weathered calcareous grains might be microfossils.
