Notes on ‘Brittle Wares’ in North-eastern Syria

AbstractAbstractThe 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, and for a clearer definition, 54 samples from various sites in the Euphrates, Balikh and Khabur 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.