In 2006, the controversial scholar and collector Dietrich von Bothmer (1918–2009) donated five fragments of a Greek, Laconian-style, black-figure cup to the Carlos (L2024.52.3A and B). The only provenance information came from von Bothmer’s handwritten notes on the sherds and the exhibition history of the objects. At least two of the sherds were acquired by von Bothmer from scholars Hans (1918–1984) and Ines (1922–2013) Jucker sometime in the 1980s. While the sherds are beautiful examples of Laconian painted pottery, they existed in our collection with no real collection history or archaeological context.
During a 2024 meeting with the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Carabinieri, we were given a report based on research carried out by archaeologist Gloria Mittica, PhD, and her team at the Sanctuary of Timpone della Motta, Francavilla Marittima, in southern Italy. In the summer of 2022, archaeologists at the site came across a pit dug into the stratigraphy that contained a fragment of a Greek Laconian-style, black-figure cup. Mittica was able to match the excavated fragment directly with the fragments donated to the Carlos by von Bothmer in 2006.
While fragments may not seem like the most exciting find, the identification of a large decorated Laconian cup from an Italian sanctuary site is very important for archaeologists excavating and interpreting a site that is over 2,500 years old. These fragments constitute the only example of a Laconian cup found at the Sanctuary of Timpone della Motta. Archaeologists believe this cup, an imported luxury object from Greece, was intentionally broken in antiquity during a ritual in the sanctuary. By reuniting these fragments, archaeologists can better understand their site, and the Carlos is able to give archaeological context to museum objects.
The pit in which the pottery sherd was found by archaeologists also contained modern trash, including three Fanta soft drink cans. As Atlanta is the home of The Coca-Cola Company, Carlos Curator of Greek and Roman Art Ruth Allen, PhD, reached out to Coca-Cola to see if there was a way to date the Fanta cans. Neeve Kelly, PhD, outreach archivist at The Coca-Cola Company Archives, was able to date production of the cans to the years 1988–1989. The cans were abandoned by looters while they dug pits into the ground at the Sanctuary of Timpone della Motta hoping to find objects that could be sold. The cans are a strong visual reminder of the looting that has plagued Francavilla Marittima since the 1970s—the very same looting that brought the von Bothmer sherds onto the market and, ultimately, to the Carlos Museum.
Currently, the excavated cup fragment, the von Bothmer fragments, and the three Fanta cans are at the Carlos Museum on long-term loan. They will be placed on display in our Greek and Roman Galleries this month. Our goal is to share their journey and the larger story of the impact of looting on archaeological sites like Francavilla Marittima with our visitors. Stop by the galleries soon and check it out for yourself!
