Urkesh Ceramic Analysis

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

Gray Ware (G)

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

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General Description

Gray ware refers to a specific gray colored ware that was in use during the Khabur (Phase 6) and Mittani (Phase 7) phases. There are other gray wares known, in particular see LGR for Late Chalcolithic Gray ware. During this phase Gray ware is defined by its gray color and fine temper. It is usually burnished on the exterior.

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Characteristics

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Phase 6 - Khabur

Basis for Definition

Vessels found in Khabur strata

Clay Type

Medium to fine with uniform particles, gray on interior and exterior

Temper

Fine sand, fine gypsum, some chaff

Firing

Medium fired to a light to dark gray exterior color

Carbon Core

Found only in thicker shapes

Wall Thickness

About 0.5 cm

Shapes
  • The typical shape is a medium or small bowl with ribbing below the rim and a ring base (A16q683.4). The ribbing can be either widely spaced on the coarser examples or narrowly spaced in finer examples.

  • Surface Treatment

    burnished on exterior, some examples highly polished with others poorly burnished with spaces left without burnishing. Interior is usually burnished but in some examples it is only scraped.

    Decoration

    None

    Comments

    There is a wide range of technical expertise shown in this single bowl shape made exclusively in Gray ware. Some are very fine with others quite coarse.

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    Phase 6 Sherd Illustrations

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    Exteriors

    A16q319-p2

    A16q683.4

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    Interiors

    A16q319-p2

    A16q683.4

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    Sections

    A16q319-p2

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    Phase 7 - Mittani

    Basis for Definition

    Mittani Levels in J1 and J5 - see J1b11, J1b14, and J5b10

    Clay Type

    Gray on interior and exterior

    Temper

    Chaff, mica and sand temper

    Shapes

    Round sided bowls
    Carinated bowls
    Ring Bases
    Small round sided bowls are characteristic for coarser gray ware

    Surface Treatment

    burnished on exterior, some examples highly polished with others poorly burnished with spaces left without burnishing. Interior is also usually burnished. Some space burnished.

    Decoration

    None

    Comments

    Wheel-made

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    Phase 7 Sherd Illustrations

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    Exteriors

    J1b11

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    Interiors

    J1b11

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