2021 The origins and evolution of Cypriot glazed ware productions during the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries CE (original) (raw)
Related papers
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2021
This paper challenges the conventional characterisation of glazed ware productions in the eastern Mediterranean, especially the ones which did not feature the use of opaque or tin-glazed technology, as technologically stagnant and unsusceptible to broader socioeconomic developments from the late medieval period onwards. Focusing on the Cypriot example, we devise a new approach that combines scientific analyses (thin-section petrography and SEM-EDS) and a full consideration of the chaîne opératoire in context to highlight the changes in technology and craft organisation of glazed ware productions concentrating in the Paphos, Famagusta and Lapithos region during the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries CE. Our results indicate that the Paphos production was short-lived, lasting from the establishment of Frankish rule in Cyprus in the thirteenth century to the aftermath of the fall of the Crusader campaigns in the fourteenth century. However, glazed ware production continued in Famagusta and Lapithos from the late thirteenth/fourteenth centuries through to the seventeenth century, using technical practices that were evidently different from the Paphos production. It is possible that these productions were set up to serve the new, local demands deriving from an intensification of commercial activities on the island. Further changes occurred to the technical practices of the Famagusta and Lapithos productions around the 16th/17th centuries, coinciding with the displacement of populations and socio-political organisation brought by the Ottoman rule.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2021
This paper challenges the conventional characterisation of glazed ware productions in the eastern Mediterranean, especially the ones which did not feature the use of opaque or tin-glazed technology, as technologically stagnant and unsusceptible to broader socioeconomic developments from the late medieval period onwards. Focusing on the Cypriot example, we devise a new approach that combines scientific analyses (thin-section petrography and SEM-EDS) and a full consideration of the chaîne opératoire in context to highlight the changes in technology and craft organisation of glazed ware productions concentrating in the Paphos, Famagusta and Lapithos region during the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries CE. Our results indicate that the Paphos production was short-lived, lasting from the establishment of Frankish rule in Cyprus in the thirteenth century to the aftermath of the fall of the Crusader campaigns in the fourteenth century. However, glazed ware production continued in Famagusta and Lapithos from the late thirteenth/fourteenth centuries through to the seventeenth century, using technical practices that were evidently different from the Paphos production. It is possible that these productions were set up to serve the new, local demands deriving from an intensification of commercial activities on the island. Further changes occurred to the technical practices of the Famagusta and Lapithos productions around the 16th/17th centuries, coinciding with the displacement of populations and socio-political organisation brought by the Ottoman rule.
The beginning of glazed ware production in late medieval Cyprus (Ting et al 2019, JAS: Rep 27)
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019
This study presents the first characterisation of the early glaze technology that emerged in Cyprus during the 13th century CE, with the glazed ware assemblage recovered from the theatre site at Nea Paphos as the main focus. By framing the results of the technological study using SEM-EDS and thin-section petrography within the historical context, we are able to establish the link between local production and broader technological and socio-historical developments. The early glaze technology in Cyprus appears to have followed the established traditions characteristic of the eastern Mediterranean region during the late medieval period. This is reflected in the use of high lead glaze, the addition of iron and copper oxide as colourants, and the use of painting and sgraffito as principal decorative techniques. Although the introduction of glaze production in Cyprus coincided with the time when the island fell under the Frankish rule, there is no evidence indicating that the Frankish rulers directly controlled the production or the Franks were involved in the actual production process. However, we argue that the establishment of the Frankish influence had indirectly stimulated the beginning of glazed ware production in Cyprus by facilitating the movement of labour and creating the market and demand required for such production through its link to the Crusaders' campaigns in the wider Levantine region.
The beginning of glazed ware production in late medieval Cyprus
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019
This study presents the first characterisation of the early glaze technology that emerged in Cyprus during the 13th century CE, with the glazed ware assemblage recovered from the theatre site at Nea Paphos as the main focus. By framing the results of the technological study using SEM-EDS and thin-section petrography within the historical context, we are able to establish the link between local production and broader technological and socio-historical developments. The early glaze technology in Cyprus appears to have followed the established traditions characteristic of the eastern Mediterranean region during the late medieval period. This is reflected in the use of high lead glaze, the addition of iron and copper oxide as colourants, and the use of painting and sgraffito as principal decorative techniques. Although the introduction of glaze production in Cyprus coincided with the time when the island fell under the Frankish rule, there is no evidence indicating that the Frankish rulers directly controlled the production or the Franks were involved in the actual production process. However, we argue that the establishment of the Frankish influence had indirectly stimulated the beginning of glazed ware production in Cyprus by facilitating the movement of labour and creating the market and demand required for such production through its link to the Crusaders' campaigns in the wider Levantine region.
CYPRIOT BYZANTINE GLAZED POTTERY: A STUDY OF THE PAPHOS WORKSHOPS*
Archaeometry, 2009
Twenty-five samples of Byzantine glazed pottery from two archaeological sites between Limassol and Paphos region (Cyprus), dated between the 12th and 15th century AD were studied using micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. It was found that all the glazes contain lead, following the main manufacturing process of medieval pottery in the Mediterranean territory, while some of them contain tin, possibly for better opacity. Furthermore, it is shown that copper, iron and cobalt with nickel are responsible for the decoration colours. Finally, the application of principal component analysis revealed significant differentiation for some of the samples.
Cypriot Medieval Glazed Pottery: A study on Provenance and Manufacture
Sixteen samples of medieval glazed pottery coming from two archaeological excavations in Lapithos and Nicosia, and seventeen samples of tripod stilts coming from Lapithos, Nicosia, Lemba and Vasa Koilaniou, dated between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries AD, were studied using micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (µ-XRF) and powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD) analysis, for the determination of their chemical and mineralogical composition. The results of the study indicate that all glazes contain lead (Pb), following the main manufacturing process of Byzantine glazed pottery in the Mediterranean basin. Furthermore , in some glazes from Lapithos and in one glaze from Nicosia, a small concentration of tin (Sn) was detected. It was not sufficient, however, for the creation of opacity. Moreover, it is shown that copper (Cu), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and vanadium (V) are responsible for the main glaze colours, while regarding the firing conditions, the results of the mineralogical analysis and the presence of some minerals in the ceramics, indicates a temperature of around 900-950°C for the firing of the ceramics. Finally, the application of statistical analysis (PCA technique) on the experimental data coming from both μ-XRF and PXRD techniques revealed significant differentiation between the glazed samples coming from Lapithos and Nicosia, providing significant evidence for the possible existence of a workshop in the area of Nicosia.
The second volume of this specialized continued collection of research papers “Glazed Pottery of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea Region, 10th – 18th Centuries” contains studies of mass archaeological materials — glazed pottery — from a vast region encompassing countries from the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Far East and Eurasian steppes, dated by the High and Late Middle Ages. The goal of this continued edition is to attract the attention of the medievalists to glazed pottery and, particularly, to introduce earlier unknown archaeological complexes with glazed pottery and results of various physical-chemical studies of ceramic clays and glazes for scientific discussion. The volume includes contributions from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan and is meant for specialists in history, archaeology, ceramic studies, ethnography, museum studies, history students and all those interested in medieval material culture.