Urkesh Ceramic Analysis
Shapes by horizon: Ur III / Isin-Larsa / Urban Contraction

Jars

Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati – June 2013, August 2017, June 2023

Brief Overview

The definition of what is a jar is the same for all units and all time periods in the UGR. See here for further details. In this time period the palace of Tupkish was no longer in use. This period had no massive architecture as in previous periods but did produce evidence of a relatively open area with burials especially in A10 and A16.

Necked jars with both straight necks and flaring necks are common in this period. However hole mouth jars and shouldered jars occur infrequently. Now both medium and large jars can have a short straight restriction just below the rim making it easier to attach a covering. Chaff Tempered ware (CH) and Red Calcite ware (RC) were prevalent in jars. Pebble Tempered ware (P) continued as the main cooking ware, especially for jars.

Bitumen-based painted designs are characteristic for this phase; the bitumen more than likely comes from bitumen which occur even today near the site. These designs are mostly found on jars, including solidly painted necks of medium necked jars as well as large jars. Small and medium jars occur with both painted necks and rims; they also can have large dots around the upper body. Amorphous designs are rare.

Incised decoration is also found in this period on jar necks and upper bodies. The patterns are usually some type of wavy lines but more complicated arrangements of geometric decoration can occur. These incised patterns can be combined with bitumen decoration. Ribbing also occurs on the upper bodies of jars and on jar rims.