Urkesh Ceramic Analysis

Lexicon: shapes

Particulars: rims, bases, handles

Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati – July 2016, August 2023

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In many cases, the total shape of a vessel is not identifiable, and there is only one particular element of the shape that is preserved and should accordingly be categorized as such. Five such particular elements occur. In order of frequency, they are: rims, bases, one characteristic of the body shape, handles, and spouts.

Rims represent the most frequent group. They tend to be general and the codes are used for more than one horizon. See here the full list of codes, and here an illustration of the types. – Total codes: 57.

body shape many times the sherd includes evidence of the vessel body shape and these codes can be used for more than one horizon. With time body shapes developed more characteristics and therefore the codes became more in number.

Bases base codes are general and also tend to be used for more than one horizon. Bases through time gradually become more articulated and therefore there are many more base codes for the Mittani shapes than were for the Early Dynastic shapes. See here the full list of codes, and here an illustration of the types.– Total codes: 29.

Handles are also general and the codes are used for more than one horizon. See here the full list of codes, and here an illustration of the types.– Total codes: 19.

Spouts. – Total codes: 1.

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