Sigma Shape Tables and an Altar Table from Blaundos

Abstract

In ancient times, tables in which special treats
were served to the guests were made in different forms in
line with their needs and functions. During the Roman
period, in the tricliniums and outdoor prairie feasts, the
tables that were used in a round form in front of the semicircular formed couches called stibadium, were adapted
to the form of the couch in which they were surrounded
in time. These semicircular tables, called Sigma forms,
were considered sacred like many objects in the iconography of Christ with the spread of Christianity. The fact
that some of the early Christian artists including a sigmashaped table in their last supper-themed work, in which
Jesus was depicted with his twelve apostles has made this
spread out easier. Thus tables with sigma form have taken
their place in church liturgy as altar trays. Sigma-shaped
altar trays, which are plain, decorated or with a bowl
opening, were frequently used especially in the early
Christian period. In addition to their function as the altar
tray, they were also used for different purposes, such as
Coptic tombstones. The altar plate unearthed in the excavations of Blaundos ancient city in 2019 was slightly
smaller and undecorated than similar examples. The plate, which was discovered torn apart in the stone paved
area right in front of the Early East Roman workshop
spaces, was dated to the 5th century AD in the light of
similar examples and findings such as mortars and coins
found in the same context. Despite the fact the city was
mentioned in the church records and the dense East Roman structures that can be followed on the surface, there
is no structure that can be said to be definitively a church.
Previous researches on this subject suggests, the data about
Christianity that were found in excavations, and especially
the sigma-shaped altar table gives an idea about the
location and also history of the possible church structure.