Derek Kennet | University of Chicago (original) (raw)

Books by Derek Kennet

The end of the 3rd millennium was a time of significant transformation in Southeast Arabia (the U... more The end of the 3rd millennium was a time of significant transformation in Southeast Arabia (the United Arab Emirates and Northern Oman). The cultural homogeneity of the preceding Early Bronze Age, Umm an-Nar period (c. 2700-2000 BC) came to an end and gave way to the Middle Bronze Age, Wadi Suq period (2000-1600 BC). Settlements changed, and possibly began to decline in size and number; the economy changed for many; and the important trade in copper ore seems to have declined. In addition, there was a marked change in funerary practices as new types of tombs appeared-both collective and individual burials. This book reports on the excavation of a number of monumental collective tombs that were built and used through the early part of the 2nd millennium. The way that they were constructed and used as well as the burial goods that they contain throw light on the population of this area, and give some indication of how and why it was that life continued in this small pocket in a way that was different way to surrounding regions.

This monograph comprises the final publication of a study supported by the British Institute of P... more This monograph comprises the final publication of a study supported by the British Institute of Persian Studies and undertaken at the University of Durham. It presents and analyses an assemblage of just under 17,000 sherds of pottery and associated paper archives resulting from one of the largest and most comprehensive surveys ever undertaken on the historic archaeology of southern Iran. The book provides new archaeological evidence on the long-term development of settlement in Southern Iran, in particular the coastal region, from the Sasanian period to around the 17th century. It also offers new insights into regional settlement patterns and changing ceramic distribution, trade and use. A large amount of primary data is presented covering an extensive area from Minab to Bushehr along the coast and inland as far as Sirjan. This includes information on a number of previously undocumented archaeological sites, as well as a detailed description and analysis of the ceramic finds, which underpin the settlement evidence and provide a wider source of reference. Sasanian and Islamic Settlement and Ceramics in Southern Iran (4th to 17th Century AD) The Williamson Collection Project

This book reports on excavations at Paithan (Maharashtra, India) that revealed the development of... more This book reports on excavations at Paithan (Maharashtra, India) that revealed the development of two early Hindu temples from the 4th to the 9th century: the key formative phase of Hinduism. The temples started as small shrines but were elaborated into formal temples. In relation to these developments the excavations uncovered a sequence of palaeobotanical and palaeofaunal evidence that gives insight into the economic and social changes that took place in Paithan during the early development of Hinduism.

The archaeological excavations along the route of packages 3 and 4 of the Batinah Expressway, Sul... more The archaeological excavations along the route of packages 3 and 4 of the Batinah Expressway, Sultanate of Oman, conducted during the spring and summer of 2014, recorded over 60 archaeological sites over the 200km stretch of roadway cutting through the Batinah plain, northwest of Muscat. The majority of these sites were prehistoric tombs of varying ages. These excavations have allowed a rethinking of the dating of some of these tombs, looking particularly at the structural styles of the tombs as well as their location in the landscape. It has also demonstrated techniques of rapid yet reliable excavation and recording techniques adapted from UK commercial archaeology for the Omani conditions. The report builds on the work of academic studies and adds a large dataset to the archaeology of the Batinah, Oman and the wider region. It is hoped that this will allow a wider scale reconsideration of the burial styles of the prehistoric Gulf. Ben Saunders has been working in archaeology in the UK and Middle East for the past 7 years as an excavator and ceramics expert, following on from his research masters in Indian Ocean trade at Durham University. The team behind the BEH 3-4 excavations are all highly experienced archaeologists combining expertise within the Middle East with modern commercial archaeological practice and techniques. This report is a testament to their hard work in very challenging temperatures and their commitment to Omani archaeology. Saunders cover 2.indd 1

The Archaeological Atlas of Samarra sets out to map and catalogue the site and buildings of the A... more The Archaeological Atlas of Samarra sets out to map and catalogue the site and buildings of the Abbasid capital at Samarra in the period 836 to 892 AD, preserved as they were until the middle years of the 20th century. Site maps and catalogues are provided of all the approximately 5819 building and site units identified. This is the first time that it has been possible to catalogue nearly all the buildings of one of the world’s largest ancient cities, from the caliph palaces to the smallest hovels.

I am sorry but I cannot provide digital copies of this book.

Kennet, D. with Ulrich, B & Le Maguer, S. 2014. Kadhima: Kuwait in the early centuries of Islam. ... more Kennet, D. with Ulrich, B & Le Maguer, S. 2014. Kadhima: Kuwait in the early centuries of Islam. Kuwait: NCCAL. ISBN: 978-99906-0406-1.

This is a review of the results from the Kadhima project at around the end of the 3rd season (2012/13). It was written during the 4th season for the general public. Note the publication date is 2014, even if it says 2013 on the attached pdf.

Kennet, D. & Luft, P. (eds). 2008. Current Research in Sasanian Archaeology, Art and History. Pr... more Kennet, D. & Luft, P. (eds). 2008. Current Research in Sasanian Archaeology, Art and History. Proceedings of a Conference held at Durham University, November 3rd and 4th, 2001. BAR International Series 1810.

"Kennet, D. 2004. Sasanian and Islamic pottery from Ras al-Khaimah :classification, chronology an... more "Kennet, D. 2004. Sasanian and Islamic pottery from Ras al-Khaimah :classification, chronology and analysis of trade in the Western Indian Ocean. Society for Arabian Studies Monographs No. 1. BAR International Series 1248.

The principal aim of this book is to present the classification of Sasanian and Islamic ceramics from the 4th/5th century AD to about the 18th century AD from Ras al-Khaimah as well as the evidence for a proposed chronology. The classification is based on a study of over 124,000 sherds, which includes excavated sequences from the sites of Kush and al-Mataf and numerous surface collections made in and around Ras al-Khaimah. The secondary aim of the book is to present a preliminary analysis of the combined quantified sequences from Kush and al-Mataf and to explore some of the results, especially those that have a bearing on the archaeology of Indian Ocean trade and economy. In doing this comparisons are made with the quantified sequence from Shanga on the East African coast in order to identify trends and developments that are relevant to the Arabian Sea littoral as a whole, as well as to Ras al-Khaimah. This aspect of the work is far from complete and is currently being developed into a fuller study of patterns of trade in the western Indian Ocean based on ceramic distributions and quantified assemblages.

It is possible to download a free pdf of this book from http://dro.dur.ac.uk/3891/. As of April 2015 it has been downloaded from that site 1,770 times from 68 different countries. I believe this makes it the most popular book ever written on Ras al-Khaimah Sasanian and Islamic pottery.

Kennet, D. 1995. The Towers of Ras al-Khaimah. BAR International Series 601.

Late Early Historic/early Medieval India by Derek Kennet

Chandor 2000 field report (unpublished), 2000

This is the field report that JVP Rao and I submitted to the ASI after the 2000 season at Chandor

South Asian Studies

Kennet, D., Rao, J.V.P. 2001. The Early Historic Brick Temple at Chandor (ancient Chandrapura) Go... more Kennet, D., Rao, J.V.P. 2001. The Early Historic Brick Temple at Chandor (ancient Chandrapura) Goa. South Asian Studies 17: 97-107.

This seems to me one of the most enigmatic buildings (or building sequences) of the Early Historic/early Medieval period in the whole of India. Looking back, we made some mistakes with this paper. The garbha griha of Phase II should be where the later Phase III garbha griha is and that would make Phase II very similar to the Lad Khan at Aihole - which is not that far away. Fine, it's an early Hindu temple of the 7th/8th/9th (?) c. But what is that cruciform (Phase I) building underneath it (which the Hindu temple carefully respects - locating its garbha griha right where the shrine(?) of the Phase I structure would probably have been)? There are no parallels anywhere in S Asia - it's certainly NOT a church. Some sort of local cult influenced by maritime contacts? If anyone has any ideas please let me know!

I have added two pages of notes to this section to explain what I mean.

Note that there is a scanning error in Fig 3 which makes it look like there's a kink in the wall. I will try to post the post-ex report at some point but it's quite big and needs some sorting out. ""

South Asian Studies

Kennet, D., Rao, J.V.P. 2003. Two Early Historic Brick Temples at Paithan in Maharashtra. South A... more Kennet, D., Rao, J.V.P. 2003. Two Early Historic Brick Temples at Paithan in Maharashtra. South Asian Studies 19: 113-123.

The Vakataka Heritage: Indian Culture at the Crossroads

Kennet, D. 2004. The transition from Early Historic to Early Medieval in the Vakataka realm. In H... more Kennet, D. 2004. The transition from Early Historic to Early Medieval in the Vakataka realm. In H. Bakker (ed.). The Vakataka Heritage: Indian Culture at the Crossroads. Groningen 2002: 11-17.

J. Schiettecatte and C. Robin (eds). Les préludes de l’Islam: ruptures et continuités dans les civilisations du Proche-Orient de l’Afrique orientale, de l’Arabie et de l’Inde à la veille de l’Islam. Orient & Méditerranée No. 11. Paris: de Boccard.

Kennet, D. 2013. Reconsidering the decline of urbanism in late Early Historic and Early Medieval ... more Kennet, D. 2013. Reconsidering the decline of urbanism in late Early Historic and Early Medieval South Asia. In J. Schiettecatte and C. Robin (eds). Les préludes de l’Islam: ruptures et continuités dans les civilisations du Proche-Orient de l’Afrique orientale, de l’Arabie et de l’Inde à la veille de l’Islam. Orient & Méditerranée No. 11. Paris: de Boccard: 331-353.

This paper discusses and reviews the archaeological evidence on which R. S. Sharma and others have based the theory of urban decay that they believe occurred across South Asia in the late Early Historic and Early Medieval periods (between the 3rd and the 7th centuries AD). The paper points out and discusses major problems with almost all aspects of the archaeological data, from excavation strategy and methodology to chronology, and indicates how these problems may bias the data and thereby undermine broader interpretations. However, the paper also concludes by acknowledging that, although the urban decay theory needs to be reconsidered in this light, this period is none-the-less likely to have been a time of transition and change rather than one of growth or stability.
""

Gulf Prehistory by Derek Kennet

Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, 2022

al-Tikha is a mid to large Umm an-Nar (c. 2700-2000 BC) settlement situated near Rustaq at the ba... more al-Tikha is a mid to large Umm an-Nar (c. 2700-2000 BC) settlement situated near Rustaq at the back of the Southern Batinah coastal plain in the Sultanate of Oman that was discovered (or rediscovered) in 2014. The site is unique because its layout and spatial organisation are very largely (possibly completely) visible on the surface. This includes two separate areas of stonebuilt housing, a large pottery scatter of varying density, three or four typical Umm an-Nar round towers and a small cemetery consisting of at least four tombs, along with a few other features. The layout of the site is described and discussed in detail, in particular, in relation to what it might tell us about the nature of Umm an-Nar settlement and social organisation more generally. The location of the site within a pattern of repeating Umm an-Nar settlement along Wadi Far (Wādī al-Farʿī) is also described and discussed.

Deadman, W.M., Kennet, D., al-Awfi, K. 2015. Hafit Tombs and the Development of Early Bronze Age... more Deadman, W.M., Kennet, D., al-Awfi, K. 2015. Hafit Tombs and the Development of Early Bronze Age Social Hierarchy in Al-Batinah, Oman. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 45: 49-56.

This paper presents an observation made during fieldwork undertaken at three apparently late Hafit cemeteries (3200-2500 BC) as part of the Rustaq/Al-Batinah Archaeological Survey and PhD research based at Durham University (UK). Hafit tombs were recorded on the ground at Ḥālbān, Wādī Ḥawqayn and al-Ḥamiḍ in the al-Batinah region of Oman. At each of the sites the same pattern was observed: one structure is of extremely large proportions while the rest are of a much more modest scale fairly typical of late Hafit funerary structures across the region. This pattern may testify to the emergence of social hierarchy within the later Hafit period in Al-Batinah. This contrasts with traditional interpretations of Hafit society as egalitarian.

Deadman, W.M., Kennet, D., Al-Aufi, K.N. 2014. Hafit tombs and the development of Early Bronze Ag... more Deadman, W.M., Kennet, D., Al-Aufi, K.N. 2014. Hafit tombs and the development of Early Bronze Age social hierarchy in al-Batinah, Oman. Poster presented at the Seminar for Arabian Studies 2014. (A paper summarising this poster will be published in PSAS 2015).

Al-Jahrawi, N. S., Kennet, D. 2010. Umm an-Nar settlement in the Wādī Andam (Sultanate of Oman). ... more Al-Jahrawi, N. S., Kennet, D. 2010. Umm an-Nar settlement in the Wādī Andam (Sultanate of Oman). Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 40: 161–172.

Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, Jan 1, 1995

Kennet, D. Velde, C. 1995. Third and early second-millennium occupation at Nud Ziba, Khatt (U.A.E... more Kennet, D. Velde, C. 1995. Third and early second-millennium occupation at Nud Ziba, Khatt (U.A.E.). Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy 6,2: 81-99.

This paper presents one of the few closely-dated ceramic assemblages of the late 3rd millennium - early 2nd millennium (transition between Umm al-Nar and Wadi Suq) from the Oman Peninsula/UAE.
"

I am sorry but I cannot provide digital copies of this book.

Kennet, D. 1995. The Towers of Ras al-Khaimah. BAR International Series 601.

Chandor 2000 field report (unpublished), 2000

This is the field report that JVP Rao and I submitted to the ASI after the 2000 season at Chandor

South Asian Studies

I have added two pages of notes to this section to explain what I mean.

Note that there is a scanning error in Fig 3 which makes it look like there's a kink in the wall. I will try to post the post-ex report at some point but it's quite big and needs some sorting out. ""

South Asian Studies

The Vakataka Heritage: Indian Culture at the Crossroads

Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, 2022

Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, Jan 1, 1995

This paper presents one of the few closely-dated ceramic assemblages of the late 3rd millennium - early 2nd millennium (transition between Umm al-Nar and Wadi Suq) from the Oman Peninsula/UAE.
"

American Journal of Archaeology, Jan 1, 1998

Kennet, D. 1998. Review of J. Benton, 1996, Excavations at al-Sufouh: a third millennium site in ... more Kennet, D. 1998. Review of J. Benton, 1996, Excavations at al-Sufouh: a third millennium site in the Emirate of Dubai. American Journal of Archaeology 102: 190-191.

A Medieval Islamic City Reconsidered: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Samarra. Proceedings of the Samarra Symposium held at Oxford, Jan 1, 2001

Kennet, D. 2001. The form of the military cantonments at Samarra, the organisation of the Abbasid... more Kennet, D. 2001. The form of the military cantonments at Samarra, the organisation of the Abbasid army. In C. Robinson (ed.), A Medieval Islamic City Reconsidered: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Samarra. Proceedings of the Samarra Symposium held at Oxford, May 1996. OUP: 157-182.

EJ Grube Cobalt and Luster, the first centuries of Islamic pottery, Jan 1, 1994

Northedge, A., Kennet, D. 1994. The Samarra horizon. In E. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, the first ce... more Northedge, A., Kennet, D. 1994. The Samarra horizon. In E. Grube, Cobalt and Lustre, the first centuries of Islamic pottery, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, Vol. IX, London: 21-35.

This is only the text part of this paper.

See Alastair Northedge's much more detailed discussion of this topic:

Northedge, A. 1996. Friedrich Sarre’s ‘Die Keramik von Samarra’ in perspective. In K. Bartl and S. Hauser (eds.), Continuity and Change in Northern Mesopotamia from the Hellenistic to the Early Islamic Period, BBVO 17: 229-258.

Kennet, D. 1994. Pottery as evidence for trade in medieval Cyrenaica. In J. Reynolds (ed.), Cyren... more Kennet, D. 1994. Pottery as evidence for trade in medieval Cyrenaica. In J. Reynolds (ed.), Cyrenaican Archaeology. An international colloquium. Libyan Studies 25: 275-285.

Libyan Studies

Kennet, D. 1991. Some notes on Islamic Tolmeita. Libyan Studies 22: 83-89.

Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies, Jan 1, 1984

Johnston, A., Kennet, D. 1984. Late archaic alphabets from Le Mollaie, Etruria. Bulletin of the I... more Johnston, A., Kennet, D. 1984. Late archaic alphabets from Le Mollaie, Etruria. Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies, 31: 115-118.

The British Foundation for the Study of Arabia: www.thebfsa.org

This article summarizes the outcome of a workshop sponsored by the Durham University Centre for I... more This article summarizes the outcome of a workshop sponsored by the Durham University Centre for Iranian Cultural Studies, where papers were presented on the entire chronological range of water management systems in Iran from around 8000 years bc until around 1000 ad. The primary aim was to recognize major research questions that could be used to create an agenda for future studies of ancient water use in the country. In the Durham meeting, it appeared that although the small-scale prehistoric systems probably constituted an example of ‘human niche construction’, the later imperial systems did not. Despite the recognition of occasional irrigation systems of third millennium bc date in the Deh Luran plain by Neely and Wright, as well as perhaps in Khuzestan, there appears to be a general dearth of evidence of Chalcolithic and Bronze Age systems in Iran. However, by the first millennium bc there was a considerable increase in the construction of major water management systems, some of which were, at least as far as the associated evidence suggests, constructed by imperial authorities. All agreed, however, that just because a system appeared large in scale, it was not necessarily a result of imperial management. For the subject of qanats it was argued that not only were they usually built by small-scale societies, but also that there may have been multiple centres of origin; one primary centre being a broad zone of south-east Iran, Pakistan and south-east Arabia.

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, 2008

Al-Jahwari, N.S., Kennet, D. 2008. A field methodology for the quantification of ancient settleme... more Al-Jahwari, N.S., Kennet, D. 2008. A field methodology for the quantification of ancient settlement in an Arabian context. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 38: 203-214.

Most field surveys apply systematic methodologies of fieldwalking and surface survey sampling techniques in order to quantify settlement in a way that allows inter-period and inter-regional comparisons to be made. These methods, which were mostly developed for the ploughed fields of Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, depend on a systematic, probabilistic approach that allows the collection of statistically valid data and the ability of the archaeologist to define and to count ‘sites’. In many parts of Arabia, particularly the cultivated areas of the Arabian Gulf, it is difficult to apply these techniques, due to the nature of the geography and agriculture. This paper describes a survey methodology that is capable of taking into consideration the landscape peculiarities of the Oman Peninsula and allows the quantification of ancient settlement intensities in an unbiased and testable way.

The paper describes a case study survey carried out using this method in the Wadi Andam in the Sharqiyah region of the Sultanate of Oman. It sets out the method used, and presents a preliminary indication and discussion of the results achieved.

Quaternary …, Jan 1, 2006

Parker, A.G., Goudie, A.S., Stokes, S., White, K., Hodson, M.J., Manning, M., Kennet, D. 2006. A ... more Parker, A.G., Goudie, A.S., Stokes, S., White, K., Hodson, M.J., Manning, M., Kennet, D. 2006. A Record of Holocene climate change from lake geochemical analyses in southeastern Arabia. Quaternary Research 66: 465-476.

Khosrowzadeh, A., Aali, A., Kennet, D., Priestman, S. 1385 (2006). Kahur Langar Chini: a Parthian... more Khosrowzadeh, A., Aali, A., Kennet, D., Priestman, S. 1385 (2006). Kahur Langar Chini: a Parthian port on the coast of Persian Gulf. Iranian Centre for Archaeological Research, Archaeological Reports 5: 55-70.

In Farsi. This is not a very good photocopy I'm afraid, but I don't have another pdf.

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies

de Cardi, B., Kennet, D. Stocks, R.L. 1994. Five thousand years of settlement at Khatt, U.A.E. Pr... more de Cardi, B., Kennet, D. Stocks, R.L. 1994. Five thousand years of settlement at Khatt, U.A.E. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 24: 35-95.

Al-Jahwari, N.S., Kennet , D., Priestman, S., Sauer, E. 2018. Fulayj: a late Sasanian fort on the... more Al-Jahwari, N.S., Kennet , D., Priestman, S., Sauer, E. 2018. Fulayj: a late Sasanian fort on the Arabian coast. Antiquity. 92 363: 724–741.

Archaeological evidence for a Sasanian presence in the ‘Uman region of Eastern Arabia is sparse. Recent excavations at the site of Fulayj in Oman have, however, revealed it to be a Late Sasanian fort, the only securely dated example in Arabia, or indeed on the western shores of the
Indian Ocean more generally. AMS dating supports the ceramic chronology proposed for the site, demonstrating occupation until the
Islamisation of South-eastern Arabia in the early seventh century AD, and also briefly into the very Early Islamic period. Fulayj fort provides new insights into Sasanian military activities during this crucial period
of Arabian history.

Kennet & P. Luft (eds). Current Research in Sasanian Archaeology, Art & History. BAR International Series 1810, 2008

Kennet. D. 2008. Sasanian Coins from ‘Uman and Bahrayn. In D. Kennet & P. Luft (eds). Current Res... more Kennet. D. 2008. Sasanian Coins from ‘Uman and Bahrayn. In D. Kennet & P. Luft (eds). Current Research in Sasanian Archaeology, Art & History. BAR International Series 1810: 55-64.

The transliteration font seems to have messed up in this pdf. Sorry!

"Blair, A., Kennet, D., al-Duwish, S. 2012. Investigating an Early Islamic Landscape on Kuwait Ba... more "Blair, A., Kennet, D., al-Duwish, S. 2012. Investigating an Early Islamic Landscape on Kuwait Bay: the archaeology of historical Kadhima. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 42: 13-26.

Note that, having partially excavated it, we no longer believe that the 'walled enclosure' mentioned on pages 15-16 of this paper is Sasanian. It must be 8th century or later, possibly considerably later. The only dating evidence we found are 8th century layers underlying the walls.
"

J Schiettecatte & C. Robin (eds). L’Arabie à la veille de l’Islam:bilan clinique.

Kennet, D. 2009. Transformations in late Sasanian and Early Islamic Eastern Arabia: the evidence ... more Kennet, D. 2009. Transformations in late Sasanian and Early Islamic Eastern Arabia: the evidence from Kush. In J Schiettecatte & C. Robin (eds). L’Arabie à la veille de l’Islam:bilan clinique. Orient & Méditerranée No. 3. Paris: 135-161.

Kush is a small tell on the coast of Ras al-Khaimah (United Arab Emirates), in the northern Oman Peninsula. Excavations between 1995 and 2001 revealed a continual sequence of occupation dating from the 5th to the 13th century AD. This paper summarises the results, in advance of the forthcoming final publication, of the earliest part of this sequence (Periods I, II and III) which cover the late Sasanian and early Islamic periods. This is, to date, the only excavated sequence in Eastern Arabia which covers the end of the Sasanian period and the rise of Islam. The sequence was very carefully excavated and a great deal of quantified information was retrieved relating to artefacts such as pottery, glass and small finds as well as ecofacts such as carbonised seeds, charcoal and animal bone. The sequence therefore provides a useful insight into the nature of occupation at this time, shedding light on trade contacts as well as the economic and environmental conditions of the period.""

Arabian archaeology and epigraphy, Jan 1, 1997

Kennet, D. 1997. Kush: a Sasanian and Islamic-period archaeological tell in Ras al-Khaimah (U.A.... more Kennet, D. 1997. Kush: a Sasanian and Islamic-period archaeological tell in Ras al-Khaimah (U.A.E.). Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy 8: 284-302

Arabian archaeology and epigraphy, Jan 1, 2007

Kennet, D. 2007. The Decline of Eastern Arabia in the Sasanian period. Arabian Archaeology and Ep... more Kennet, D. 2007. The Decline of Eastern Arabia in the Sasanian period. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy 18/1: 86-122.

This paper lists and reviews the archaeological evidence for the Sasanian period in eastern Arabia (third–seventh centuries AD). Much of the published evidence is shown to be either erroneous or highly doubtful, leaving very little evidence that is reliable. It is argued that the paucity of evidence in comparison to the Hellenistic/Parthian period indicates that this was a time of marked and continuing decline in the number and size of settlements, the number of tombs and the amount of coinage in circulation, all of which probably result from a population that was both declining in size and participating less in the types of production and consumption that leave discoverable traces in the archaeological record. This is in contrast to the historical evidence, which, although patchy, is stronger for the Sasanian period than it is for the Hellenistic/Parthian period. The argument for decline challenges some generally accepted historical views of eastern Arabia at this time, which see the region as undergoing a notable period of growth. In conclusion, some brief consideration is given to the possible causes of the decline.""

Antiquity, Jan 1, 2005

Kennet, D. 2005. On the eve of Islam: archaeological evidence from Eastern Arabia. Antiquity 79/ ... more Kennet, D. 2005. On the eve of Islam: archaeological evidence from Eastern Arabia. Antiquity 79/ 303:107-118.

What was the archaeological context of the rise of Islam in Arabia? The author uses new work from Eastern Arabia to show that the advent of Islam coincided with the decline of the Sasanian hegemony and one of Arabia’s least affluent periods in 3500 years of history."

Quaternary Research, Jan 1, 2003

Ishida, S., Parker, A.G., Kennet, D. Hodson, M.J. 2003. Phytolith analysis from the archaeologica... more Ishida, S., Parker, A.G., Kennet, D. Hodson, M.J. 2003. Phytolith analysis from the archaeological site of Kush, Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Quaternary Research 59: 310-321.

Iran, Jan 1, 2002

Priestman, S., Kennet, D. 2002. The Williamson Collection Project : Sasanian and Islamic pottery ... more Priestman, S., Kennet, D. 2002. The Williamson Collection Project : Sasanian and Islamic pottery from Southern Iran. Iran 40: 265-267.

Iran, Jan 1, 2002

Kennet, D. 2002. Sasanian pottery in Southern Iran and Eastern Arabia. Iran 40: 153-162.

Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Jan 1, 1994

Kennet, D. 1994. Jazirat al-Hulayla - early Julfar. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Series ... more Kennet, D. 1994. Jazirat al-Hulayla - early Julfar. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Series 3, 4, 2: 163-212.

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, Jan 1, 1991

Kennet, D. 1991. Excavations at al-Qusur, Failaka, Kuwait. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian... more Kennet, D. 1991. Excavations at al-Qusur, Failaka, Kuwait. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 21: 97-111.

Arabia and its neighbours: essays on prehistorical and …, Jan 1, 1998

Kennet, D.1998. Evidence for 4th/5th-century Sasanian occupation at Khatt, Ras al-Khaimah. In C.S... more Kennet, D.1998. Evidence for 4th/5th-century Sasanian occupation at Khatt, Ras al-Khaimah. In C.S. Phillips, D.T. Potts and S. Searight (eds.) Arabia and her Neighbours. Essays on prehistorical and historical developments presented in honour of Beatrice de Cardi: 105-116.

Kennet, D. 2012. Archaeological History of the Northern Emirates in the Islamic Period: an outlin... more Kennet, D. 2012. Archaeological History of the Northern Emirates in the Islamic Period: an outline. In D. Potts & P Hellyer (eds). Second International Conference on the Archaeology of the UAE. Abu Dhabi March 2009: 189-201.

Hadith ad-Dar (Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyya)

Kennet, D. 2011. Islamic Archaeology in the Gulf. Hadith ad-Dar (Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyya) 33: 2... more Kennet, D. 2011. Islamic Archaeology in the Gulf. Hadith ad-Dar (Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyya) 33: 28-31.

In this paper I explore the archaeological history of the Gulf through the Islamic period. In recent years a lot of new archaeological information has come to light on the Islamic period in the Gulf, especially in Eastern Arabia. More recent excavations at sites such as Julfar, Kush, Bilad al-Qadim and Sir Bani Yas along with the publication of older excavations such as Siraf, Qalat al-Bahrain and Suhar has added enormously to our understanding of how the region developed through the Islamic period. ""

World Archaeology, 2024

This paper analyzes the plans and layouts of Chinese ceramic workshops from the Tang to Ming peri... more This paper analyzes the plans and layouts of Chinese ceramic workshops from the Tang to Ming periods (seventh to seventeenth century AD) to understand how ceramic production was organized and how organization developed over time. Through the comparative examination of 254 workshops from 96 workshop sites, two workshop types have been defined based on the spatial arrangement of their production facilities. This paper argues that each workshop type reflects a different degree of labor specialization, and despite some regional differences, the organization of ceramic production developed in a consistent way across China.

World Archaeology, 2023

This paper examines the Longquan celadon industry, located in Zhejiang province in China, which f... more This paper examines the Longquan celadon industry, located in Zhejiang province in China, which flourished mainly between the Southern Song and early Ming dynasties. The products of this industry are found on archaeological sites across China and the Indian Ocean. This paper attempts a quantified analysis of the development of the industry based on archaeological data, focussing on four aspects: production, domestic consumption, overseas consumption and, to a lesser degree, workshop organisation. Although much of the data is still problematic, and many of the conclusions drawn are necessarily, therefore, tentative, these are the only data available. They allow us at least to demonstrate the value and timeliness of the approach by charting the development of this industry and by arguing that the close integration of the four aspects examined indicates that the Longquan celadon industry was an industry of considerable economic significance across much of the Indian Ocean.

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies

Mitsuitshi, G., Kennet,. D. 2013. Kiln sites of the fourteenth - twentieth-century Julfar ware po... more Mitsuitshi, G., Kennet,. D. 2013. Kiln sites of the fourteenth - twentieth-century Julfar ware pottery industry in Ras al-Khaimah, UAE. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 43: 225-238.

This paper presents a summary of the results of a study of four kiln sites of Julfar ware, a coarse ware that was produced in the Shimal area of Ras al-Khaimah (UAE) close to the historical site of Julfar between the 14th and 20th centuries. The paper presents and analyses surface assemblages of pottery that were collected from each of the kiln sites. The kiln sites are described and an outline of the typology that was developed to catalogue the ceramic assemblage is presented. A seriation of the assemblage demonstrates a relative chronology of the four sites that can be linked to an absolute chronology using external data. Using the range of types at each kiln site as a proxy for the intensity of production suggests a peak of production in the 15th/16th centuries contemporary with the main phase of occupation at historic Julfar and contemporary with the widest distribution of Julfar ware around the western Indian Ocean. Analysis of the coefficient of variation of rim diameters from the most common types from three of the sites suggests related changes in the organisation of production.

Arabian archaeology and epigraphy, Jan 1, 2003

Kennet, D. 2003. Julfar and the urbanisation of southeast Arabia. Arabian Archaeology and Epigrap... more Kennet, D. 2003. Julfar and the urbanisation of southeast Arabia. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy 14: 103-125.

The fourteenth-sixteenth-century town of Julfar (al-Mataf) in Ras al-Khaimah (UAE) is one of the most fully investigated archaeological sites in the Gulf, having been the subject of seven different excavation projects. Evidence from the published reports, when brought together, provides a detailed and coherent picture of the development of the site from a small fishing community in the mid-fourteenth century to a fully urbanised settlement by the mid-fifteenth century, and then attests to its eventual decline and abandonment by the late sixteenth century.

Julfar was the first example of true urbanism in this part of Arabia, and therefore marks a significant historical turning point. Its development is believed to have been linked to the expanding mercantile economy of Hormuz, but it occurred at the same time as a period of spectacular rural growth in its own immediate hinterland, evidence for which has been produced by archaeological field survey. Together these phenomena suggest the development of a local market economy, perhaps for the first time, which would have had significant implications for the social and economic structure of the area.
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Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian studies., Jan 1, 2002

Kennet, D. 2002. The development of Northern Ras al-Khaimah and the 14th-century Hormuzi economic... more Kennet, D. 2002. The development of Northern Ras al-Khaimah and the 14th-century Hormuzi economic boom in the lower Gulf. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, 32: 151-164.

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, Jan 1, 1993

Kennet, D., Connolly, D., Baker, F. 1993. Ra's al-Khaimah Tower Survey 1991-2. Proceedings of the... more Kennet, D., Connolly, D., Baker, F. 1993. Ra's al-Khaimah Tower Survey 1991-2. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 23: 9-47.

Tribulus

Kennet, D. 1992. The Towers of Ras al-Khaimah. Tribulus 2.2 29-30.

Zhang, R., Kennet, D. Priestman, S. 2011. Longquan ceramic of archaeological excavation in Near E... more Zhang, R., Kennet, D. Priestman, S. 2011. Longquan ceramic of archaeological excavation in Near East – introduction of Longquan celadon about the Williamson Collection and the Siraf material. In Institute of Chinese Ceramics (ed.). The Research of Longquan kiln. Beijing: The Forbidden City Press: 447-457 [in Chinese]. Jin Dong Di Qu Kao Gu Yi Zhi Fa Xian De Long Quan Yao Ci Qi---Ying Guo Wei Lian Mu Sen Cang Pin Ji Si La Fu Yi Zhi Diao Cha Cang Pin Zhong De Long Quan Yao Qing Ci Jian Jie.

In Chinese.

2001 PhD, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. An archaeological study o... more 2001 PhD, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. An archaeological study of the Sasanian and Islamic periods in Northern Ras al-Khaimah (U.A.E.). Unpublished.

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 5, 2022

International Journal of Osteoarchaeology

Abstract This paper considers skeletal and dental lesions to assess the effects of aridification ... more Abstract This paper considers skeletal and dental lesions to assess the effects of aridification on two skeletal samples from the Bronze Age in what is now the United Arab Emirates (UAE), located on the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. This paper hypothesized that the sample from Qarn al-Harf (QAH) Tomb 6 would show a greater prevalence of skeletal and dental lesions in comparison with that from QAH Tomb 5, because QAH Tomb 6 dates to a period of aridification when compared with the wetter Wadi Suq period (~2000 B.C.). The skeletal remains from two tombs from QAH cemetery are studied: one dated to the transition period from the Umm an-Nar to Wadi Suq period (~2000 B.C.) (Tomb 6, n = 141) and one Wadi Suq period tomb (Tomb 5, n = 44; 2000–1600 B.C.). Skeletal and dental lesions, including carious lesions, antemortem tooth loss, dental enamel hypoplasia, periosteal new bone formation, cribra orbitalia, and porotic hyperostosis, were recorded and used to assess differential lived experience. Findings from the two tombs are compared with five contemporary sites of the Umm an-Nar and Wadi Suq periods. Fisher's exact tests found more statistically significant differences in the prevalence of cribra orbitalia (p = 0.0050) and non-adult mortality (p = 0.0118) for the QAH Tomb 6 skeletal sample than that from QAH Tomb 5. No other skeletal or dental lesions were significantly different according to Fisher's exact tests. While not significant, periosteal new bone formation rates in QAH 6 in conjunction with cribra orbitalia rates suggest individuals were experiencing stressors that were not impacting QAH Tomb 5 individuals. Skeletal and dental lesion rates are not directly attributable to climate change; however, we argue that intense aridification around 2000 B.C. caused desiccated crops and an increased reliance on marine sources for QAH Tomb 6. This reliance likely promoted nutritionally deficient diets manifesting as observed higher rates of cribra orbitalia and periosteal new bone formation.

Kennet & P. Luft (eds). Current Research in Sasanian Archaeology, Art & History. BAR International Series 1810, 2008

Transformations in Early Historic and Early Medieval India: Excavations at Paithan, Maharashtra 1... more Transformations in Early Historic and Early Medieval India: Excavations at Paithan, Maharashtra 1996-1999 (Delhi: Archaeological Survery of India and British Association for South Asian Studies, 2015).

CATENA, 2021

urdueD vF nd uennetD hF nd qrnierD eF nd rtonD eF nd hjeriD rF nd fotnD F nd rerveuxD vF nd hvtin... more urdueD vF nd uennetD hF nd qrnierD eF nd rtonD eF nd hjeriD rF nd fotnD F nd rerveuxD vF nd hvtinD qF nd grr¡ eD eF nd wogerD hF @PHPIA 9enient griulture in outhest eriX e three thousnd yer reord of runo' frming from entrl ymn @ustqAF9D gtenD PHR F pF IHSRHTF

Excavations at Paithan, Maharashtra, 2020

Part IV of this volume presents two specialist reports on the environmental evidence from the exc... more Part IV of this volume presents two specialist reports on the environmental evidence from the excavations (archaeobotanical and faunal). As with the collection and study of the artefacts, a key aim of the present project was to use a systematic and quantified approach to both the collection and study of environmental evidence. This included, on the advice of Dr Mark Nesbitt of Kew Gardens, London, the construction of a 'Siraf-type' flotation machine that was set up on the banks of the Godavari and allowed the processing of very large quantities of flotation samples from key trenches and soundings. The advantage of this approach is manifest in the assemblage of more than 8,300 carbonized seeds that form the basis of the archaeobotanical study in Chapter 12. This is the largest archaeobotanical assemblage from any Early Historic or Medieval site that has so far been published from anywhere in India. At the same time, a rigorous programme of sieving of excavated earth was implemented. This resulted in the collection of a good faunal assemblage that provides insights into some very useful historical trends in animal husbandry at the site. Having said this, the general density of animal bone by cubic metre of excavated earth was noted by the excavators, many of whom have excavated in the

Systematic prospection and excavations in the Rustaq region of Northern Oman, approximately 45 km... more Systematic prospection and excavations in the Rustaq region of Northern Oman, approximately 45 km from the coast in the foothills of the Western Hajar Mountains, have revealed an unexpectedly dense record of Neolithic sites. Besides surface scatters of lithic artifacts, excavation at site Hayy al-Sarh recovered two stratified archaeological horizons (AHs). The upper horizon, AH I, contained pierced marine shells that provided an age of the archaeological material of about 6,800 to 7,500 years cal BP. Typologically the AH I lithic assemblage compares to the Suwayh facies defined at the coast 300 km to the east. Whether the marine shells and cultural affinities point towards exchange with coastal communities or possibly seasonal movement remains an open question at this state of research, but this new evidence for inland Neolithic settlement near Rustaq provides important new data that will help to improve our understanding of spatial patterns of Neolithic demographic variability.

The Vākāṭaka Heritage, 2005

Antiquity, 2018

The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, ... more The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

Libyan Studies, 1991

Trench 330. Below recent structures the remains of two (possibly related) complexes of buildings ... more Trench 330. Below recent structures the remains of two (possibly related) complexes of buildings were uncovered. Building I was a sunken, probably rectangular, courtyard bounded by a colonnade. Building II was mud brick. Seven major phases were identified. Pottery suggests a terminus post quem in the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries AD.Trench 340. Below very recent features was a brick barrack block, which probably dates to the 1930s. Below this was a building constructed on mud brick, of at least two principal phases, probably of similar date to Buildings I and II in Trench 330.The Finds. Twenty-three coins were recovered. Two are probably comparatively early in date (Abbasid or Fatimid). Considerable quantities of pottery were recovered (see Appendices I and II). Other finds of note were a glass weight, probably of Fatimid date, and a small head carved in bone.

Libyan Studies, 1991

This article presents some sherds of glazed, medieval pottery which were found on the surface at ... more This article presents some sherds of glazed, medieval pottery which were found on the surface at Tolmeita in the vicinity of the Headquarters of the Dux. This pottery suggests a period of occupation at Tolmeita from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries AD. There is a brief discussion of the possible role of Tolmeita as a port for Barqa's trade. Yakubi, al-Idrisi and Abu al-Fida are quoted as they all mention Tolmeita by name.

Libyan Studies, 1994

The use of pottery distributions to identify trade contacts is one of the most important tools in... more The use of pottery distributions to identify trade contacts is one of the most important tools in the archaeologist's repertoire. Recent examples of such studies, concentrating on the classical period in Cyrenaica, have produced evidence which provides valuable new insights into changing trade patterns for which there is precious little historical information. There is, at present, a debate over Cyrenaica's trading contacts during the classical period in which Fulford has proposed a definite bias towards trade with the eastern Mediterranean (Fulford 1989) whilst Lloyd has challenged the lack of emphasis given to Italian imports (Lloyd forthcoming). Abulafia's reassessment of the Pisanbacinihas likewise stimulated debate on the development of trade contacts, this time in the medieval period (Abulafia 1985). Such studies rely upon two points; the first is a well-documented corpus of material and the second is a detailed background knowledge of the wares and fabrics in gene...

Iraq, 2015

The Archaeological Atlas of Samarra sets out to map and catalogue the site and buildings of the A... more The Archaeological Atlas of Samarra sets out to map and catalogue the site and buildings of the Abbasid capital at Samarra in the period 836 to 892 A.D., preserved as they were until the middle years of the 20th century. Site maps and catalogues are provided of all the approximately 5819 building and site units identified. This is the first time that it has been possible to catalogue nearly all the buildings of one of the world's largest ancient cities, from the caliph palaces to the smallest hovels. Published the British Institute for the Study of Iraq in conjunction with the Fondation Max van Berchem

Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian …, 1993

... They are most dense on the northern part of the plain directly inland from Ras al-Khaimah whe... more ... They are most dense on the northern part of the plain directly inland from Ras al-Khaimah where the average distance between towers is about 1.3km, but is as little as 350 metres in some cases. The small number of "house towers" in comparison to the ...

South Asian Studies, 2001

... Page 11. THE EARLY HISTORIC BRICK TEMPLE AT CHANDOR NOTES 1. The team consisted of the two au... more ... Page 11. THE EARLY HISTORIC BRICK TEMPLE AT CHANDOR NOTES 1. The team consisted of the two authors assisted by Shriguru Bagi, Manoj Kumar Saxena, Dr. M. Kasturi Bai, Sophia Bagi (ASI), Mathew Edmunds, Rebecca Gowland, and Barry Taylor (SSAS). ...