Late Philistine Decorated Ware ("Ashdod Ware"): Typology, Chronology, and Production Centers

Following the excavations at Tel Ashdod, a class of Iron Age II decorated pottery was identified that became known as "Ashdod Ware." In the present study, this pottery is defined as Late Philistine Decorated Ware. Based on its typology, decoration, distribution, chronology, and provenience, it is suggested that this class of vessels, which first appears in Iron IIA and continues through at least the Iron IIB period, is typical of Philistia and was most probably produced at a limited number of Philistine sites (e.g., at Ashdod and Tell eṣ-Ṣâfi/Gath). It is also demonstrated that the decorative style of this group represents a development of Iron I Philistine decorative traditions and the influence of late Iron I/early Iron IIA Phoenician decorated ceramics. Although the overall function and significance of this group cannot be definitively determined, it appears to have served as local "prestige ware" in Iron II Philistine culture.