Urkesh Ceramic Analysis

Categorization / Lexicon / Wares / 3rd-2nd mill.

Fine Pebble Temper Ware (FP)

Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati – April 2006
Laerke Recht – May 2016

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General Description

Fine pebble temper vessels have many small pebbles as temper. The pebble temper is visible in section and on the surface. These vessels are thinner and finer, with finer, smaller temper than the regular pebble-temper ware. Like the Pebble-tempered, the Fine pebble tempered vessels are also secondarily fired on the exterior indicating usage.

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Features

Basis for Definition

Temple BA and strata of AK and above

Identifying Attributes

Many small pebbles used as temper, these can be seen in section and on the surface, very friable, surface dark brown to black and burnished.

Clay Type

Coarse, uneven particle size.

Temper

Many pebbles, very little organic temper.

Firing

Low to medium fired, carbon core.

Color

Dark brown.

Wall Thickness

Less than 1 cm.

Shapes
  • All small jars (size range: rim d ca 10-15 cm) and pots.

  • Some small bowls.
  • Manufacturing Techniques

    Very friable, burnished to compact the surface which otherwise would have little consistency since the proportion of paste to temper is very low.

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    Sherd Illustrations

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    Exteriors

    A16q797-p23

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    Interiors

    A16q797-p23

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    Sections

    A16q797-p23

    A16q874-p4

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