The late MBA and LBA pottery horizons at Qatna. Innovation and conservation in the ceramic tradition of a regional capital and the implications for second millennium Syrian chronology (original) (raw)
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The excavations carried out by the Italian Mission of the University of Udine at Mishrifeh have discovered significant MBA sequences that shed new light on the period and suggest a modification of the periodization currently in use. To date, the MBA has been traditionally divided into two phases (MB I and MB II), with Ebla providing the most important stratigraphic sequence in support of such scheme. However, this chronological framework does not seem to mirror adequately the pottery tradition nor indeed the stratigraphic sequences of the Northern Levant, especially as far as the last part of the period is concerned. The following study of selected MB archaeological contexts and ceramics from Qatna suggests that the MBA should be extended to include the entire 16th century, through addition of a third phase, the MB III. This is in better correspondence with the ceramic evidence and archaeological contexts and permits a more precise characterization of the MBA in the region. and § 3 by M Iamoni. Additionally, we warmly thank the anonymous referee for his/her interesting comments and suggestions which have helped us to improve our article. It goes without saying saying that the authors are responsible for any remaining errors.
The excavations carried out by the Italian Mission of the University of Udine at Mishrifeh have discovered significant MBA sequences that shed new light on the period and suggest a modification of the periodization currently in use. To date, the MBA has been traditionally divided into two phases (MB I and MB II), with Ebla providing the most important stratigraphic sequence in support of such scheme. However, this chronological framework does not seem to mirror adequately the pottery tradition nor indeed the stratigraphic sequences of the northern Levant, especially as far as the last part of the period is concerned. The following study of selected MB archaeological contexts and ceramics from Qatna suggests that the MBA should be extended to include the entire 16th century, through addition of a third phase, the MB III. This is in better correspondence with the ceramic evidence and archaeological contexts and permits a more precise characterization of the MBA in the region.
This work deals with the archaeometric study of the Bronze Age and Iron Age pottery from Tell Mishrifeh /Qatna (central-western Syria), where the complete cycle of ceramic production is well documented. Petrographic, chemical and diffractometric analyses were carried out on both potsherds and a clayey material found in a separation basin within the area of the workshops. Petrographic groups were defined and maximum firing temperatures and redox firing conditions were estimated, providing constraints on identifying the production technology and its evolution with time. The studied potsherds turned out to be locally produced, with only a few cases of possible similarities with those described for other localities along the Orontes Valley, and in a couple of cases with evidence of pottery exchange.
Archaeometry, 2005
This work deals with the archaeometric study of the Bronze Age and Iron Age pottery from Tell Mishrifeh/Qatna (central-western Syria), where the complete cycle of ceramic production is well documented. Petrographic, chemical and diffractometric analyses were carried out on both potsherds and a clayey material found in a separation basin within the area of the workshops. Petrographic groups were defined and maximum firing temperatures and redox firing conditions were estimated, providing constraints on identifying the production technology and its evolution with time. The studied potsherds turned out to be locally produced, with only a few cases of possible similarities with those described for other localities along the Orontes Valley, and in a couple of cases with evidence of pottery exchange.
The ancient site of Qatna was one of the most powerful Syrian urban sites during the 2nd millennium B.C. During the Middle Bronze Age (MBA or MB), Qatna was cited as a regional capital with extensive influence over a considerable area, in competition with some of the most important contemporary sites in Syria and Mesopotamia (Aleppo, Carchemish, and Mari). The origin of its status as a regional capital has been investigated through the excavation of a large sounding opened on the top of the Central Hill. However, the precise trajectory of Qatna from a simple settlement to a major urban site is still unclear. Analysis of an uninterrupted ceramic sequence spanning from the Early Bronze Age (EBA or EB) III to the Late Bronze Age (LBA or LB) helps to shed light on some of these changes. It also allows us to see how ceramic production changed between the 3rd and the 2nd millennium B.C., corresponding to the major modifications to the site as it transformed from a simple village into a capital controlling a significant portion of Central Western Syria