Scientific methods in the studies of the Ilka 2 medieval ceramic center in the Mountainous Crimea and its products

Magnetic survey applied to search and examine Ilka 2, which is a medieval ceramic center near Mangup, made it possible to detect its precise location and reveal not less than four large roasting kilns that operated at this center. Excavations of one of the kilns (kiln No. 3) identified two periods of the center operation (the 8th-10th centuries and the 13th-15th centuries), a product line, size and design features that offered an opportunity to assess to what extent the technology of firing large ceramic vessels (amphorae) and roof tiles was developed. Comparative micromorphometric studies of the tile specimens from the Ilka 2 production center and excavations of the medieval town of Eski-Kermen demonstrated their similarity which helps suggest trade routes and the sales area for products of this ceramic center. The study concludes that medieval Tauris had highly developed technologies and high productivity of the ceramic sector which were achieved through narrow specialization of the sector, its autonomous development and transfer of production to the mountainous forest areas to bring production closer to be needed sources of raw material and fuel.