Evidence of the Linear B documents indicates that Stirrup jars were used as containers for olive oil.
Speculations as to other content have been made, but are generally unsupported.
The most common, wine, had its own battery of containers from serving and drinking ware (cups, mixers, bowls, etc.)
to transport vessels, the amphorae, which are generally larger and more plentiful than stirrup-jars.
Wine was apparently more plentiful.
Oil requires a significant investment in olive trees, which cannot be harvested for several years after planting.
A third suggestion, perfume, is not compatible with the small quantities placed in perfume jars, which are always very small.
The relatively large stirrup jars would represent unrealistically huge amounts of perfume.

Noting that the stirrup jars of which he knew from the excavated houses of Mycenae and elsewhere had a capacity of 12 – 14 l, Ventris, decipherer of Linear B, hypothesized that one stirrup jar was designed to hold one liquid unit, which he took to be “the convenient figure” of 12 litres (3.2 US gal).
Using a density of olive oil of 0.917 kg/l obtains a weight of about 11 kilograms (24 lb) for a full jar, to which must be added the weight of the jar.
As this is not a convenient weight for decanting or table use, the jars that came to Ventris’ attention were probably of the transport type; that is, intended for export.
Furumark's FS 164 is between 40 centimetres (16 in) and 50 centimetres (20 in) high and between 27.5 centimetres (10.8 in) and 35 centimetres (14 in) maximum diameter.
A full jar was probably not lifted by the stirrups alone, as this practice would risk a disaster.
As for amphorae, one might suppose wooden racks and loading nets lifted by cranes.
Evidence of the Linear B documents indicates that Stirrup jars were used as containers for olive oil. Speculations as to other content have been made, but are generally unsupported. The most common, wine, had its own battery of containers from serving and drinking ware (cups, mixers, bowls, etc.) to transport vessels, the amphorae, which are generally larger and more plentiful than stirrup-jars. Wine was apparently more plentiful. Oil requires a significant investment in olive trees, which cannot be harvested for several years after planting. A third suggestion, perfume, is not compatible with the small quantities placed in perfume jars, which are always very small. The relatively large stirrup jars would represent unrealistically huge amounts of perfume.
Noting that the stirrup jars of which he knew from the excavated houses of Mycenae and elsewhere had a capacity of 12 – 14 l, Ventris, decipherer of Linear B, hypothesized that one stirrup jar was designed to hold one liquid unit, which he took to be “the convenient figure” of 12 litres (3.2 US gal). Using a density of olive oil of 0.917 kg/l obtains a weight of about 11 kilograms (24 lb) for a full jar, to which must be added the weight of the jar. As this is not a convenient weight for decanting or table use, the jars that came to Ventris’ attention were probably of the transport type; that is, intended for export. Furumark's FS 164 is between 40 centimetres (16 in) and 50 centimetres (20 in) high and between 27.5 centimetres (10.8 in) and 35 centimetres (14 in) maximum diameter. A full jar was probably not lifted by the stirrups alone, as this practice would risk a disaster. As for amphorae, one might suppose wooden racks and loading nets lifted by cranes.
Stirrup jar