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To cite this article: Karin Bartl, Gerwulf Schneider & Sabine Bhme (1995) Notes on Brittle
Wares in North-eastern Syria, Levant, 27:1, 165-177, DOI: 10.1179/lev.1995.27.1.165
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The term 'brittle wares' defines a large group of red or red/black pottery wares from the Hellenistic to
early Islamic periods in Syria and Palestine. To answer the question of local or non-local production,
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and for a clearer definition, 54 samples from various sites in the Euphrates, Balikh and I<'habur
valleys in northern Syria have been analysed by X-ray fluorescence and thin section microscopy.
A common feature of this pottery is the use of non-calcareous clays and high amounts of mineral
temper, both being appropriate for a function as cooking pots. Five compositional groups indicate
various production centers. The group which seems to be the most abundant in this region includes
sherds from the Roman to the early Abbasid periods thus indicating a long tradition in one place.
This can not only be seen in the use of the same material but also in the very few alterations of types.
The compositions of all analysed 'brittle wares' differ significantly from other pottery or clays studied
from the same region. The geological characteristics of the rock fragments used as temper as well as
the geographical distribution of this pottery, as far as known, points to provenances in western Syria
or Palestine.
Introduction
165
166 LEVANT XXVII 1995
the late antique and early Islamic periods in northern Production and function of the 'brittle wares'
Syria we were often dealing with questions on the
origin of pottery wares and shapes. The availability of J. IZalsbeek and H.J. Franken (1975) presented a
north Syrian ceramics in Germany2 led to investiga- detailed study concerned with the production tech-
tions of this material, although most of the samples niques of early and middle Islamic pottery from the
are unstratified survey sherds. eighth to fifteenth centuries which also included 'red
As a second stage of the project, stratified samples cooking pots' from the ceramic assemblage at Abu
from Jordan (Umm Qais), northern Iraq (Ain Sinu) Gourdan, Jordan. A ware described as red-firing pot-
and Cyprus (Dhiorios). will be analysed. Concerning tery had white, pink, red as well as blueish-black
the connection between period of use, clay sources coloured ceramic surfaces (ibid. 29). The authors
and pottery production these samples will probably assumed a differing origin for the clays used in this
give more information. The following investigations pottery than for those used in a contemporary ware
are based on 54 pottery samples from different they called 'white firing pottery' (Franken and IZals-
archaeological sites in northern Syria, i.e. from the beek 1975, 67).
river valleys of the Euphrates, the Balikh and the As to the reconstruction of the firing methods
I<habur.3 employed in the production of the so-called 'cooking
ware' during the Byzantine/Umayyad period, some
excavated pottery workshops and furnaces at sites in
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Definition of the ware Jordan and Cyprus have furnished evidence of kilns.
In Jordan our knowledge is largely based on the
The term 'brittle ware' was introduced into the evidence brought to light by the investigations carried
archaeological literature in the final reports of the out in Jerash. Since most of the remains of this city
Dura Europos excavations, to describe a large, com- date to the late Roman/Byzantine and U mayyad
mon, late Roman ceramic corpus. The term refers to periods this suggests the presence of an important
the ceramic texture of the pottery which results from ceramic industry in the city during that time. This
the firing process. This wheelmade pottery is de- industry was most probably integrated into an inter-
scribed as 'of hard baked, brick-red clay from almost regional trade network (Schaefer and Falkner 1986,
metallic quality which is thin and easily broken' 419 ff.). At Jerash, an interesting pottery kiln is lo-
(Dyson 1968, 58 ff.). Since then, the term has often cated within the ruins of the northern theatre and
been used for late Roman, early Byzantine and early close to installations used in the production of grey
Abbasid ceramics from sites located in northern Syria pottery. From the huge amount of wasters it was
and northern Iraq. In regions further south in Jordan concluded that the kiln was used for the firing of
and Palestine, late Roman/early Byzantine and Umay- 'cooking pots' (Schaefer 1986, fig. 1). Other furnaces
yad sites have produced similar pottery, often pro- exclusively used for firing 'cooking wares' are known
vided with different labels such as 'cooking pot ware' from Dhiorios, Cyprus and date to the seventh and
(Lapp 1961; Hennessy 1970), 'coarse ware' (McNi- eighth centuries A.D. (Catling 1972, 1 ff.).
colI et al. 1982) and in fewer instances 'brick ware' The pottery shapes as well as the ceramic surfaces
(Brosh 1986). provide valuable insights concerning the function of
In particular, in Jordan and Palestine where levels 'brittle wares'. Frequent occurrence of sherds with
of the Roman to Umayyad period have been investi- scorched surfaces demonstrate that the ware was
gated on a larger scale, the term 'cooking pot ware' is predominantly used for cooking. In general, the rep-
mostly used for what is called 'brittle ware' in north- ertoire of 'brittle ware' shapes is best described as
ern Syria. Therefore, both terms are used alternatively consisting of 'cooking-pots and pans'. However, it
in the following sections. seems also that amphora-shaped vessels belonged to
The descriptions of pottery from Pella (McNicoll the repertoire, as is seen for example in Jerash where
et al. 1982), however, have demonstrated that such they are made of red-orange clay with lime inclusions
denotations remain too general, in that a broad variety (Schaeffer 1989, fig. 1I. 7).
of hard-baked, gritty wares is summarized under this
term. But since virtually all publications fail to present
more detailed ware definitions, a precise terminology Distribution
is lacking. The quoted denominations all imply the
following common features: rich mineral temper re- Red 'cooking pot wares' or 'brittle wares' are known
sulting in rough surfaces which show red-brown to from many sites in Palestine, northern Mesopotamia
brick-red colour, often turned to black or scorched by and south-eastern Anatolia dating to Hellenistic
secondary firing. and later periods (Fig. 1). A detailed typology of the
BARTL et a1.Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria 167
Hellenistic to the Roman/late Roman 'cooking pot (Fig. 2). They represent several regions like the
wares' is known from Samaria (Crowfoot et al. 1957) drainage basins of Euphrates, Balikh and I<habur and
and Tarsus Oones 1950). Jerash/Gerasa (Rasson several periods like the Roman-Parthian (first to mid-
1989) and Pellarrabaqat Fahl (McNicoll et al. 1982), second century A.D.), late Roman-early Byzantine
on the other hand, illustrate the assemblage dating to (mid-third to seventh century A.D.) and the early
the early Byzantine to Umayyad periods. Moreover, Islamic/early Abbasid (end of eighth-beginning of
Pella has furnished additional evidence to differen- tenth century A.D.). Because of their small size several
tiate between several ware groups within the 'com- sherds could not be classified and therefore were not
mon red ware'. From the Hellenistic age to the dated. Characteristic shapes are shown in Fig. 3. Due
Umayyad period the prevailing type among the 'cook- to the kind of temper a fine and a coarse group of
ing pots' are round-bellied, short-necked vessels with samples can be distinguished.
handles vertically applied to the sides. Small bag-
shaped amphorae as well also occur, and as in the case
a. Euphrates Valley (Region A)
of ~cooking pots', they often have a horizontal ribbed
surface. Amphorae are best attested from sites in the Almost all sampled sherds come from the excavations
Levant and neighbouring regions (Crowfoot et al. of Tell Shaikh Hasan, situated in the Tabqa reservoir
1957, fig. 71.1; Lankester Harding 1951, fig. 4:41; area. The site mainly yielded late Chalcolithic mate-
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McNicoll et al. 1982, pI. 146:3). Since grapes and rial. However, the upper part of the tell was settled
olive trees are known to have been cultivated in this from Hellenistic to Islamic times (Boese 1986,67 ff.).
region it seems reasonable to argue that the majority Unfortunately, these layers were much disturbed.
of the amphorae were employed to contain related Therefore the pottery cannot be dated by context but
products. Occasionally amphora-like vessels are de- only typologically. Based on typological comparisons,
fined as water jars (McNicoll et at. 1982, pl.146:3). the sampled ceramics seem to date to the late Roman-
Generally there is little typological differentiation early Byzantine period. The ruin of a Byzantine
within the group of cooking pots and amphorae with church on the lower terrace of the tell (Roumi 1975)
respect to regional and chronological aspects. points to a more limited timespan from the fourth to
In northern Syria and northern Iraq the situation fifth century A.D. One sherd is a surface find from Tell
is different. Because of a lack of interest in such 'late' Bica and roughly dates to the early Byzantine era.
periods, there are only a few sites where 'brittle ware'
was found in stratified contexts. Here the most im-
portant sites are Dura Europos (Dyson 1968) and Ain b.Balikh Valley (Region B)
Sinu (Oates and Oates 1959), both dating to the
The sherds from the Balikh valley stem from the
second/third century A.D. The transition from the
excavations of Tell Hammam at-Turkman (van Loon
early Byzantine to the early Islamic period is attested
1988)4 and from several sites which were visited
at Dibsi Faraj (Harper 1980). Here as well, typologi-
during the Balikh valley survey in 1983 (Akkermans
cal differences between 'brittle ware' shapes from
1984). Among these sites Tell Shaikh Hasan/Balikh
both periods are limited. It is only in the early years
(BS 142) is the most important one which was settled
of the Abbasid period that different shapes occur, thus
from the Roman-Parthian period until the thirteenth
permitting a typological differentiation. Among them
century A.D. (Lazaro 1989; Bartl 1994). The pottery
are neckless pots with round bases, also known from
from Hammam at-Turkman dates in the timespan
Samarra, which can be ascribed to the ninth century
from the first century A.D. to the third century A.D.
A.D. (Sarre 1925; Northedge 1990).
(Lazaro 1988).
Apparently, this shape seems exclusively restricted
to northern Iraq and northern and central Syria, as
exemplified by specimens from Qasr al-Hayr as-
c. I<'habur Valley (Region C)
Sharqi (Holod 1978) and Dehes (Orssaud 1980). The
few known settlement layers from the Abbasid period The samples from the I<habur valley were part of the
in Jordan and Palestine have not yet produced any ceramic assemblage which was collected during the
comparable shapes. survey for the Tilbinger Atlas des "UJrderen Orients
(IZiihne 1977; IZiihne 1978-79), which investigated
archaeological sites in the I<habur valley from Hasaka
Description of the samples down to its confluence with the Euphrates. Sherds
analyzed come from settlements on the 'Middle
The sampled 'brittle ware' sherds are derived from I<habur'. One sherd, a surface find, stems from Tell
various surveys and excavations in northern Syria Shaikh Hamad/Dur-katlimmu; another surface find
168 LEVANT XXVII 1995
Hase J?35:::7f.,
- -,/ ',A.bda\~.
'rell Msiyyah.,
Tell Dgerat.
.:'~:In::,
Tell Ta ban
.i
I
I
25
Bu qoliya.
-~
Figure 2. Locations of the sampled material.
is from Ras at-Tell, situated west of the I<habur in the with minor precision and are not included in the table.
steppe. Analyses of duplicate samples from two sherds are
given (7271 alb and 7272 alb) to demonstrate the
order of analytical precision. The Brookhaven data
d. WadiAgig (Region D) handling programs5 were used to calculate statistical
parameters, to plot scattergrams, and for multivariate
Several sherds were collected at different sites in the
clustering procedures. From each chemical group
steppe east of the I<habur. In 1983, a survey, which
some samples were also selected for thin section
was part of the research program of the excavations
studies.
of Tell Shaikh HamadJDur-katlimmu was carried out
The chemical analyses showed a very clear separa-
in the Wadi Agig (Pfalzner 1984). Numerous settle-
tion into three homogeneous compositional groups,
ments of prehistoric and historical periods were de-
being independant of the regions where the sherds
tected in a region where nowadays no permanent
had been found. Only a few sherds did not match
settlement exists (Bernbeck 1993). Dating of the
these groups. Three of those may be somewhat abber-
sampled material was possible only in one case, be-
ant compositions, but belonging to groups 1 and 3.
cause most of the pottery fragments were too much
Two other samples certainly indicate that two more
eroded.
groups 4 and 5 exist. The division into groups is
demonstrated by using the contents of chromium and
magnesium in a scattergram (Fig. 4). There are also
Chemical and mineralogical investigations significant differences in the contents of other ele-
ments which can be seen from the means and stand-
Powdered samples of one gram each were analysed by ard deviations given in Table 2.
wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence for 22 The chemical grouping is confirmed by the thin
major and trace elements (Table 2). Sulphur, chlorine section studies in a polarizing microscope. The pot-
and some additional trace elements were checked tery of group 1 was made from a non-calcareous clay
BARTL et al. Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria 169
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10
11
)
Figure 3. Shapes of sampled 'brittle wares'.
170 LEVANT XXVII 1995
Chromium
(ppm Cr)
II -------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- 1I
745.2 --I
518.8 --1
C B
C A A
A
C
group 1
group 5
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405.6 --I
292.4 --I
J group 4
C
179.2 --1 c C
DC CBCC
C
C
C~
group 2
66.0 --I 1
11- ---- - -- 1---- ---- - I --- -- -- -- 1--- - -- - - - I - -- - ----- I ------ --- I -- --- - - -- I -- --- - --- I -- --- --- - I - -- - - ---- I I
0.949 2.936 4.924 6.911 8.898
Figure 4. Chromium and magnesium contents of the analyzed samples of 'brittle wares' from different regions in
north-east Syria (A =
Euphrates B Balikh C Jhabur D J =
Wadi Agig) showing the compositional groups.
J = J =
with a high amount of equally-sized fine-grained but of the same kind as in the samples of group 3. This
rounded to subrounded quartz (Fig. 5 and 6). The similarity can also be seen from the chemical com-
inclusions in the sherds of group 2 consist of medium positions (Table 2).
to coarse grained fragments of a volcanic rock, The two samples representing groups 4 and 5 differ
possibly from a trachytic tuff (Fig. 7). The varying from each other and from the three main groups. The
calcium contents in this group are due to minor coarse inclusions in group 4 are from a crushed
inclusions of microcalcite which has been part of the coarse-grained basaltic rock (Fig. 9), those in group
clay raw material. Group 3 is characterized by a high 5 are from an altered gabbro as is typical for ophiolitic
amount of very fine to fine grained inclusions of rocks from a greenstone belt (Fig. 10). The inclusions
various minerals and rock fragments such as quartz, in these two groups correspond to the geochemical
feldspars, micas, serpentine, volcanic rock, chert, characteristics like the high titanium content in the
limestone, marble and remains of fossils (Fig. 8). The basalt and the high magnesium content in the ophi-
inclusions in the samples 5992 and 7259 are coarser olitic rock.
BARTL et al. Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria 171
Figure 5. Photomicrograph of an early example of 'brittle Figure 7. Photomicrograph of a 'brittle ware' belonging to
ware' belonging to group 1. The temper consists of fine-grained group 2 showing the typical coarse temper from a trachytic tuff
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quartz (white or grey areas, pores are dark grey). In the center (sample 7275, conditions as Figure 5).
an exceptionally large grain of chert can be seen (sample 7262
from region A, polarizers nearly crossed).
Figure 6. Photomicrograph of a late example of 'brittle ware' Figure 8. Photomicrograph of a 'brittle ware' belonging to
belonging to the same compositional group as Figure 5, but from group 3 showing very fine inclusions of various minerals and rock
a different find place. The temper isfiner but of the same kind as fragments (sample 7265, conditions as Figure 5).
in Figure 5 including similar large grains of chert which here can
be seen near to the suiface of the sherd (sample 7270 from region
B, conditions as Figure 5).
sieving, or may have been derived from a well-sorted
dune(?). The angular to subangular rock fragments in
Technological interpretation groups 2,4 and 5 may have been intentionally crushed
and seem to be too homogeneous to be a natural part
A common feature of all investigated sherds of 'brittle of the clays.
wares' is that non-calcareous clays had been used with I The use of clays low in calcium as well as the
a high amount of fine-grained or coarse mineral in- addition of high amounts of mineral temper are
clusions serving as a tempering material. This mate- appropriate to make a pottery suitable for cooking
rial has probably been added intentionally except for because these features can reduce cracking from ther-
group 3 where the inclusions certainly represent a mal shock (Rice 1987, 224-243). This is especially
natural temper in the clay derived from weathered true in the cases of added volcanic rock fragments
rocks of various types mixed in the clay deposit. In which are a well-known characteristic of cooking pots
group 1 the well-sorted fine sandy quartz without a from many periods and regions. Uneven exteriors like
silt fraction could have been prepared by a double the rippled surfaces of many 'brittle wares' and thin
172 LEVANT XXVII 1995
Abbreviations: BS: Balikh Survey; HS: Khabur Survey; SH: Tell Shaikh Hamad; TSH: Tell Sheikh Hassan/Euphrates.
174 LEVANT XXVII 1995
Table 2.
Table 2. Chellical groups of 'brittle wares' froll four different regions in northern Syria
(Fe203 : Fetatll: loss: loss on ignition at 850' C; lain elellents as oxides in percent by weight, norMalized to a total of 1001;
trace elellents in PPII; MEANcalculated without statistical outliers. larked with asterisk; GSD : group standard deviation
in percent of the lean)
GROUP1
salple Si02 Ti02 Ah03 Fe203 MnO MgO CaD MuD K20 P20S Cr Ni Cu In Rb Sr Zr Nb Sa Ce loss total
Region A
725( 67.49 1.34 17.08 8.69 0.211 1.20 1.41 0.56 1.76* 0.203 158 316 114 32 94 82 115 50 352 19 396 134 1.26 100.25
7255 70.02 1.35 16.09 8.30 0.185 1.02 1.44 0.20 1.17 0.191 144 339 169 35 82 80 105 48 352 19 344 130 1.17 99.51
7256 64.68 1.0( 19.94 9.64 0.101 1.05 1.36 0.22 1. 46 0.466 139 399* 196 27 106 77 106 73 273 15 252 93 1.50 100.67
7258 68.63 1.37 16.96 8.67 0.187 1.10 1. 36 0.15 1.35 0.181 155 335 166 26 89 88 100 51 362 20 351 127 0.84 100.85
7262 63.02 1.09 21..4*10.35* 0.088 0.97 1.22 0.16 1.27 0.363 179* 414* 191 29 108 74 113 62 282 15 194 113 2.39 100.75
Region B
5933 67.02 1.39 11.69 8.85 0.184 1.18 1.85 0.19 1.35 0.261 150 332 113 28 101 85 199* 53 338 20 733 122 1.59 101.40
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5993 65.10 1.10 19.58 9.62 0.105 0.97 1.36 0.22 1.(7 0.437 169 389 194 31 113 13 152 61 290 18 297 111 3.02 100.68
5994 66.32 0.99 18.82 9.24 0.103 0.96 1.38 0.18 1.52 0.454 131 389 210 41 119 80 112 78* 210 17 273 109 1.45 100.54
5995 65.72 1.01 18.85 9.32 0.106 1.00 1. 78 0.21 1.46 0.490 132 359 209 30 109 82 119 71 281 17 238 95 1.85 100.25
5996 65.30 0.99 18.96 9.22 0.094 0.90 1.23 0.56* 2.30* 0.426 157 353 180 33 112 68 168 69 249 16 233 102 2.51 100.10
5997 65.15 1.03 19.67 9.68 0.111 0.98 1.30 0.09 1.45 0.516 142 370 213 36 116 88 94 75* 280 18 281 97 1. 01 100.15
5998 63.53 1.15 19.10 9.99 0.104 1.09 2.49* 0.17 1.51 0.213 153 392 210 29 100 83 132 54 269 20 23( 100 2.35 101.04
5999 68.57 1. 38 17.03 8.90 0.125 0.90 1.30 0.22 1.36 0.165 12( 322 171 38 99 84 111 51 355 21 301 103 1. 15 99.32
7267 67. 22 1. 25 17.63 8.85 0.169 1. 37 1.89 0.09 1.33 0.155 153 315 172 33 90 90 145 41 322 16 405 118 1.36 100.80
1268 66.65 1. 23 17.92 8.95 0.169 1.27 1.90 0.19 1.53 0.155 129 313 172 37 100 91 142 (6 313 19 300 119 1.62 99.87
7269 66.05 1. 28 18.19 9.32 0.152 1.12 1.40 0.15 1.50 0.214 156 325 179 31 106 100 103 53 333 19 325 117 1.14 100.71
1270 61.52 1.35 17.85 9.11 0.182 1.05 1.24 0.11 1.38 0.112 149 321 172 31 99 92 89 53 350 16 324 118 0.95 99.52
1213 65.94 1.30 18.37 9.16 0.171 1.26 1.52 0.32* 1.80* 0.128 121 291 173 32 85 74 131 46 322 18 327 117 2.61 93.67
Region C
2148 69.59 1.31 16.17 8.52 0.150 0.99 1.62 0.14 1.28 0.231 142 353 159 22 99 94 124 53 340 21 411 111 1.66 100.82
7962 61.96 1.35 17.53 8.86 0.170 1.13 1.47 0.10 1.24 0.158 158 325 163 28 95 94 110 51 350 11 589 119 1. 30 98.55
7963 68.18 1. 22 17.57 8.86 0.161 1.17 1.23 0.10 1.29 0.181 140 304 165 34 101 93 93 49 319 14 330 93 1. 24 99.36
1968 65.13 1.40 18.15 9.61 0.160 1.16 1.37 0.14 1.40 0.18( 174~ 326 171 28 103 99 89 51 357 18 332 125 0.04 98.21
Region 0
728( 65.36 1. 29 18.51 9.14 0.147 1.28 2.51~ 0.20 1.36 0.165 133 323 175 28 88 81 410* 41 323 17 1279* 118 3.43 100.73
1285 65.92 1. 29 18.S( 9.27 0.170 1.38 1.750.12 1.11 0.128 152 322 178 23 90 95 201 41 327 19 116* 120 1.16 101.43
1287 68.40 1.32 17.34 8.81 0.180 1.02 1.49 0.131.13 0.156 156 316 170 32 91 91 126 50 348 17 418 129 0.81 100.41
1288 68.55 1.30 16.64 8.49 0.196 1.05 1.87 0.33* 1.42 0.146 145 312 167 21 90 74 314* 50 345 18 992* 116 2.78 99.45
Table 2. continued
GROUP 2
salp le SiOz TiOz AhOI FezOI MnO MgO CaO NazO KzO PzOs Cr Ni Cu Zn Rb Sr Zr Nb Sa Ce loss tot a J
Region B
7272a 62.11 0.78 16.90 7.50 0.100 2.32 5.25 1.14 3.25 0.675 124 162 112 30 103 92 214 32 204 536 120* 2.90 100.06
7272b 62.45 0.78 16.93 7.39 0.099 2.30 4.99 1.13 3.25 0.687 119 158 111 27 96 90 203 32 206 556 107* 2.78 100.38
Region C
7274 60.38 0.79 16.73 7. 97 0.108 2.68 6.13 1.17 3.83 0.183 120 143 104 27 82 108 125 36 218 9 654 74 3.37 100.55
7275 62.24 0.81 17.76 7. 75 0.109 2.47 4.63 0.86 3.20 0.151 122 166 130 27 89 103 136 39 219 9 522 71 2.01 99.91
7276 64.83 0.82 16.57 7.28 0.110 1.98 3.97 1.19 3.03 0.171 106 184 110 20 15 96 119 41 237 10 531 91 1.61 100.74
7277 60.05 0.70 17.06 7.21 0.095 2.08 8.66 0.87 3.10 0.133 97144 110 20 69 98228 36200 7471 854.14 97.01
7278 64.03 0.83 17.36 7.52 0.115 2.16 3.58 1.13 3.15 0.089 109 175 126 25 17 103 107 40 231 8 513 63 1.55 99.05
7279 61.46 0.71 16.81 7.48 0.098 2.13 6.71 0.99 3.43 0.131 98 129 94 17 63 111 150 34 209 9 538 66 2.91 97.35
7281 64.46 0.78 17.76 7.57 0.107 2.00 2.68 1.02 3.42 0.168 111 164 113 21 81 110 100 40 225 9 622 90 1.81 100.49
7282 64.14 0.76 17 .16 7.53 0.110 2.14 3.08 0.89 3.44 0.106 110 161 111 26 71 114 106 38 225 10 566 90 1.79 101.06
7283 65.15 0.84 17.25 7.74 0.128 2.52 1.37 1.26 3.56 0.137 112 189 135 21 90 111 88 40 230 11 715 86 0.96 100.81
7966 63.96 0.90 17.75 8.06 0.119 2.34 1.98 1.68 3.05 0.136 120 158 105 21 81 95 105 40 233 9 595 78 2.09 99.19
Region D
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7286 66.25 0.78 16.53 7.08 0.121 1.92 2.08 1.23 3.72 0.261 105 161 112 20 75 110 259 41 235 10 921 79 1.20 99.16
GROUP 3
suple SiOz TiOz AhO! FezO! MnO MgO CaO MazO KzO PzOs Cr Hi Cu In Rb Sr Zr Nb Sa Ce loss total
Region A
1257 56.46 1.16 18.44 9.44 0.162 3.13 7.53 1.03 2.45 0.163 182 482 209 34 110 82 234 36 228 13 412 88 3.61 99.89
7260 58.61 1.18 18.11 9.28 0.181 3.16 5.77 1.04 2.41 0.232 163 461 218 40 122 93 236 37 233 15 551 90 3.44 100.36
Region B
1263 58.41 1.16 18.65 9.45 0.164 2.93 5.49 0.95 2.49 0.207 164 535 212 30 116 83 275 40 238 16 392 83 3.45 99.93
7264 59.06 1.19 19.09 9.65 0.169 2.90 4.48 0.93 2.29 0.220 114 491 215 31 119 91 231 39 237 15 552 100 3.12 100.78
7265 56.71 1.13 18.U 9.30 0.158 3.33 7.51 1.01 2.15 0.176 176 522 214 29 113 81 238 37 221 15 319 89 4.92 100.44
1266 58.64 1.31 19.18 9.81 0.184 2.87 3.95 1.57* 2.28 0.168 171 521 221 30 99 81 210 43 256 14 387 112 3.91 99.42
Region C
4532 58.68 1.23 19.47 9.99 0.193 2.93 4.19 0.70 2.30 0.293 170 449 220 52* 141* 110* 196 39 252 15 536 84 2.01 100.13
7280 57.68 1.20 19.89 10.02 0.179 2.64 5.23 0.91 1.99 0.218 180 487 219 40 120 93 234 43 239 16 395 91 2.99 101032
1964 58.61 1.32 19.20 9.88 0.188 2.61 5.39 0.83 1.62 0.252 189 585 208 38 108 88 242 41 263 14 386 110 2.21 99. 12
7965 56.14 1.15 19.2310.03 0.151 3.41 6.87 0.91 1.90 0.168 188 702i 228 36 110 89 281 40 229 11 531 68 3.11 99.54
7961 57.91 1.22 20.28 10.21 0.185 2.61 4.40 D.90 1.98 0.201 179 482 209 33 116 96 198 40 237 13 401 83 2.59 99.65
sillilar to group 3
5992 59.31 0.99 16.16 8.23 0.146 2.94 7.96 1.12 2.91 0.190 155 314 197 42 125 63 308 33 190 12 468 66 9.34 100.50
7259 64.69 0.92 15.30 7.01 0.012 4.32 3.02 1.80 2.11 0.121 164 416 146 32 89 13 309 24 184 8 297 68 3.11 100.61
GROUP 4 IRegion B)
sallple SiOz TiOz AhOI Fez03 MnO "gO CaO KazO KzO PzOs Cr Hi Cu Zn Rb Sr Y Zr Nb 8a Ce loss total
721ta 55.26 1.54 18.16 11.30 0.192 4.08 6.24 1.03 1.65 0.211 193 361 199 46 121 13 216 35 212 12 391 73 1.74 101.32
7271b 55.95 1.54 18.43 11.36 0.194 t02 5.64 1.03 1.63 0.203 192 358 202 54 124 74 202 35 218 13 402 65 0.00 100.58
GROUP 5 (Region A)
salple SiOz TiOz AhO! FezO! NnO MgO CaD HazO K20 PzOs V Cr Ni Cu In Rb Sr Ir Nb Sa Ce loss tota 1
preliminary results, however, have to be confirmed by Catling, H.W.(1972) An Early Byzantine Pottery Factory at
more analyses. Dhiorios in Cyprus. Levant 4, 1-81.
Our first series of analyses indicate that 'brittle Clark, V.A., Bowsher, J.M.C., Stewart, J.D., Meyer, C.M.,
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Zayadine (ed.) JerashArchaeological Project 1981-1983,1.
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Franken, H.J., IZalsbeek, J. (1975) Potters in a Medieval
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Notes Harper, R. (1980) Athis-Neocaesarea-Qasrin-Dibsi Faraj.
Pp. 237-348 in ].C.Margueron (ed.) Le Moyen Euphrate,
1 Due to the lack of recorded sites containing a continuous Zone de contacts et d'echanges. Actes du Colloque de
stratigraphy dating to the late Roman-ByzantinelUmay- Strasbourg, 1977.
yad period, typological differences observed in the Jor- Hennessy, J.B. (1970) Excavations at Samaria-Sebaste,
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2 Pottery sherds from the Balikh survey are stored in the XXIII/XXIT!
Rijksmuseum, Leiden and at the Free University, Berlin; Jones, F.F. (1950) The pottery. Pp. 149-296 in H.Goldman
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of Saarbriicken; the IZhabur and Agig valley survey mate- tic and Roman Periods.
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3 The authors wish to thank the following scholars: Prof. Unteren tIabur. Zweiter vorlaufiger Bericht iiber eine
Dr M. van Loon, Amsterdam and Dr PM.M.G. Akker- archaologische Gelandebegehung. AfO 26, 181-193.
mans, Leiden placed samples of the Balikh valley survey -- (1977) Zur historischen Geographie am Unteren
and from the excavations at Tell Hammam at-Turkman at tIabur. Vorlaufiger Bericht iiber eine archaologische Ge-
our disposal; samples from the excavations of Tell Shaikh landebegehung. AfO 25,249-255.
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