Özet:

In this article the new excavation results of the earliest settled area on the Tepecik Acropolis at Patara is going to be introduced through the recently unearthed terracotta figurines dated to the Late Archaic and Early Classical Period. Although the number of finds is so limited, they are particularly important in terms of to complete the deficiency of the coroplastic art tradition in the city, before the Hellenistic Period. Among the finds, there are basically the elements of the so called “Aphrodite Group” such as –seated goddess, adorant figurines, protomes, figured vases etc.,– and also the fragmentary animal figurines. Although they did not present a new type or typology for the coroplastic art of the period, they proved the existence of the energetic trading activity of the city during that period. On the other hand as the debate is still going on about the main manufacturing centre on these so called “Aphrodite Group” figurines, it is here preferred to give more general location for the most of the finds belonging to this group. In this sense, generally the southwest Anatolia, including Ephesus, Miletus and the nearest islands such as Rhodes and Samos are offered all together for the probable maritime commerce relation for the city of Patara. Another main result ascertaining equality of Patara two Patara figurines with the Corinthian seated and peplophoros figurines. This new discovery possibly will bring a new aspect to the not very well known relations between Patara and Corinth. Finally these results help once more to understand the role of Patara as a harbour city amongst the Lycian upcountry neighbours

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