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Introduction
The Ceramics Lexicon is a complete list of the current acceptable inputs for each roster entry. In some cases the entry is given by a specific code, in these cases the explanation of the input code is given as well.
For illustrated examples see the introduction.
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ZcaW: Ware
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ZcaW0: Main ware
| BC | Bi-Color Ware |
| CH | Chaff Temper Ware |
| DBR | Dark Brick Red Ware |
| ETC | Early Trans-Caucasian Ware |
| FC | Fine Chaff Temper Ware |
| FP | Fine Pebble Temper Ware |
| G | Gray Ware |
| H | Khabur Ware |
| IBC | Imitation Bi-Color Ware |
| IM | Imitation Metallic Ware |
| INC | Chaff or Fine Chaff Temper Incised |
| LC | Late Chalcolithic |
| LCH | Late Chalcolithic Chaff Temper Ware |
| LGR | Late Chalcolithic Gray Ware |
| LCF | Late Chalcolithic Fine Ware |
| LCGb | Green-Buff Slip Ware |
| LCT | Tan Slip Ware |
| M | Metallic Ware |
| NIN | Ninevite V Ware |
| P | Pebble Temper Ware |
| R | Rough Ware |
| RC | Red Orange Calcite Temper Ware |
| RC1 | Finer Red-Orange Calcite Temper Ware |
| S | Simple Ware |
| WS | Wet Smooth Ware |
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ZcaW1: Main Temper
| 1 | vegetal: chaff |
| 2 | calcite |
| 3 | quartz (large grains) |
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ZcaW2: Other Temper
| 1 | sand |
| 2 | mica |
| 3 | red iron ore (bright orange) |
| 4 | black iron ore (black) |
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ZcaW3: Surface treatment (interior)
| 1 | plant wiped |
| 2 | strong wheel marks |
| 3 | smoothed |
| 4 | burnished |
| 5 | polished |
| 6 | overall slip |
| 7 | |
| 8 | interior slip only |
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ZcaW4: Surface treatment (exterior)
| 1 | plant wiped |
| 2 | strong wheel marks |
| 3 | smoothed |
| 4 | burnished |
| 5 | polished |
| 6 | overall slip |
| 7 | exterior slip only |
| 8 | interior slip only |
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ZcaW5: Inclusion type
| 1 | vegetal: chaff |
| 2 | calcite |
| 3 | quartz (large grains) |
| 4 | sand (fine grains) |
| 5 | mica |
| 6 | red iron ore (bright orange) |
| 7 | black iron ore (black) |
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ZcaW6: Inclusion frequency
| 1 | abundant (almost no space between, 70-90%) |
| 2 | moderate (little space between, 40-70%) |
| 3 | sparse (much space between, 10-40%) |
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ZcaW7: Firing
| 1 | low |
| 2 | medium |
| 3 | high |
| 4 | over fired |
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ZcaW8: Fracture
| 1 | sharp, jagged |
| 2 | smooth |
| 3 | rounded |
| 4 | laminated |
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ZcaW9: Detail of ware (subfamily)
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| 1 | wheel made |
| 2 | handmade |
| 3 | coiled |
| 4 | part wheel made and part handmade |
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ZcaS: Shape
Note. Fields 1-3 require a definition as basic shape (roster code sh, see GRAMMAR, 6.5.4.3 it is repeated here for ease of reference). Field 4 is generally by itself, although in principle it may be added to basic shape plus fields 1-3.
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sh : basic shape
Basic shapes are placed in this position and can occur independently or with family/sub-family codes.
| a | casserole |
| b | bowl |
| c | cup |
| d | stand |
| g | pitcher |
| j | jar |
| k | worked disk/stopper |
| l | platter or plate |
| o | other |
| p | pot |
| s | strainer |
| t | bottle |
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ZcaS1: Family
This category applies primarily to defining further the shape of the body of the vessel although some exceptions exist (e.g. hr). Many family shapes appear exclusively with one main shape (e.g. conical with cup, goblet foot with cup etc - for a full list of shape code combinations see Main List).
| a | upper wall angled toward exterior |
| ba | coba (bowl) |
| c | conical (cup) |
| cr | carinated |
| d | deep |
| g | globular body |
| gf | footed goblet |
| h | hole mouth |
| he | hemishperical |
| hr | hammer-rim |
| m | small/miniature |
| n | necked |
| o | other |
| r | round sided |
| s | straight sided |
| sh | shouldered |
| w | wide rim diameter |
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ZcaS2: Sub-family
This category further refines the shapes, particularly if the body has more than one defining characteristic. This column is also used to further specify the family category (e.g. short necked, flaring necked, etc.).
| cu | curved upper body |
| dm | double-mouthed |
| f | flaring (necked) |
| fl | flaring body |
| h | short (necked) |
| r | rounded (carination) |
| rb | rib at juncture |
| re | restricted necked |
| rg | restricted necked, corrugation on the interior |
| rh | rough |
| rp | rope decoration |
| s | straight |
| sa | sharp (carination) |
| sc | sharp carination and curved upper wall |
| sm | smooth interior |
| tr | handle near rim |
| ug | corrugation on interior |
| w | wheel marks |
| wi | wheel marks on interior |
| we | wheel marks on exterior |
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ZcaS3: Variation
Numeric codes refer to drawings of pertinent shapes. The sequence starts each time from 1 for the LC, EDII, EDIII, Akkadian and Khabur shapes. The 100 series also applies to this time frame. The 800 and 900 series apply the Mitanni and Middle Assyrian catalogs. For a full list of types see the Main List.
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ZcaS4: Rim, base, handle
Codes for base are preceded by x, codes for handle are preceded by t, all other codes refer to rims. These codes are primarily used alone when the shape of the vessel is unclear however they also be used in conjunction with other shape codes to further define a type. Drawings of these rims, bases and handles are found in the cross-horizon section or by clicking the headings below, and illustrations by phase are shown in the various catalogs.
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| a | angular rim |
| b | beaked |
| c | plain collared |
| ci | collared-incised |
| cg | collared-grooved |
| d | divided |
| de | depression on top of rim |
| dp | double strand (lower one pointed) |
| dr | double strand (both rounded) |
| e | extened rim |
| ee | extended toward exterior |
| ei | extended toward interior |
| eie | extended to interior and exterior |
| et | externally thickened |
| f | flat |
| fd | folded |
| fl | flaring |
| fli | flaring with slight interior lip |
| flr | flaring with rib below rim |
| fr | flat on top with rounded exterior |
| fw | flat and wide |
| fwe | flat, wide and slightly inclined to exterior |
| g | grooved |
| ge | exterior groove |
| gf | folded with interior groove |
| gd | deep groove on interior |
| gm | simple with interior grrove |
| gr | interior groove with rib below rim |
| gt | groove on top |
| i | interior groove or ledge |
| il | interior lugs |
| in | indentation on rim |
| ip | interior projection |
| it | in-turned |
| li | interior lip |
| n | notched |
| p | pointed |
| pn | pinched |
| ps | pointed rim slanted |
| pse | pointed rim slanted to exterior |
| psi | pointed rim slanted to interior |
| r | rounded |
| rb | ribbed on top and exterior of rim |
| rc | curved toward exterior |
| re | restricted |
| ri | ribbed on top of rim only |
| rr | ribbed below rim |
| ro | out-turned |
| rt | thickened rim |
| s | simple |
| sh | simple with horseshoe handle |
| sl | slanted |
| sle | slanted toward exterior |
| sli | slanted toward interior |
| sq | square |
| sqe | square rim on exterior edge |
| sqer | square rim on exterior edge, slightly restricted |
| sr | simple with rope decoration |
| st | straight |
| v | various |
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| t | type unspecifed |
| tch | crescent-shaped |
| tdp | double pierced lugs |
| tk | knob |
| tkr | round knob |
| tkv | oval knob |
| to | other |
| tos | oval in section |
| tp | pierced |
| tr | round |
| trs | double-strand round |
| ts | semi-circular, exterior |
| tsi | semi-circular, interior |
| tsp | single pierced lug |
| tss | simple |
| tst | strap, rectangular in section |
| tt | exterior tab |
| tti | interior tab |
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| x | type not specified |
| xdc | disk base, slightly concave |
| xdcw | disk base, convex, wide |
| xdf | disk base, flat |
| xdx | disk base, slightly convex |
| xdw | disk base, wide |
| xel | exterior ledge |
| xf | flat |
| xfc | flat, slightly concave/slight depression in center |
| xfx | flat, slightly convex |
| xh | hollow |
| xhf | high footed |
| xhg | convex footed |
| xlf | holed in center of base |
| xo | other |
| xp | pointed |
| xrd | rounded |
| xrdc | round base, type c |
| xrds | round base, type s |
| xrg | ring |
| xrh | high ring |
| xrl | low ring |
| xsb | string cut bowl |
| xsc | string cut cup |
| xsf | solid footed |
| xsfc | solid footed, convex |
| xsfl | solid footed, low |
| xsfv | solid footed, slightly concave |
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Other
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| 1 | wheel made |
| 2 | handmade |
| 3 | coiled |
| 4 | part wheel made, part handmade |
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ZcaD: Decoration
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ZcaD1: Technique
| 1 | painted |
| 2 | incised |
| 3 | appliqué |
| 4 | stamped |
| 5 | combined |
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ZcaD2: Detail
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A. Appliqué and pinched
| A1 | Rope, 1 line |
| A2 | Rope, 2 lines |
| A3 | Rope, 3 lines |
| A4 | Combined rope and combed decoration |
| A5 | Snake |
| A6 | Scorpion |
| A7 | Snake and scorpion |
| A8 | Snake, scorpion and combed decoration |
| A9 | Snake and combed decoration |
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B. Bitumen decoration and treatment
| B1 | Neck |
| B2 | Rim |
| B3 | Neck and rim |
| B4 | Amorphous design on body |
| B5 | Large dots on shoulder or upper body |
| B6 | Bitumen repair |
| B7 | Bitumen inside for waterproofing |
| B8 | Bitumen painted on body |
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I. Incised, including combed and template
| I1 | Horizontal lines |
| I2 | Wavy lines |
| I3 | Wavy lines between horizontal lines |
| I4 | Parallel lines alternating with dotted lines made with the comb end |
| I5 | Running Xs between horizontal combed lines |
| I6 | Running triangles between horizontal combed lines |
| I7 | Template line(s) |
| I8 | Animal(s) |
| I9 | Potter's mark |
| I10 | Wavy and oblique lines between parallel lines |
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K. Khabur Painted
| K1 | Solid paint on rim and part of neck |
| K2 | Solid neck |
| K3 | Solid neck with parallel stripes below |
| K4 | Parallel straight lines |
| K5 | Running triangles filled with parallel lines |
| K6 | Running hatches triangles below rim |
| K7 | Running hatched lines |
| K8 | Parallel stripes on top of flat rim |
| K9 | Solid rim only |
| K10 | Solid rim with triangles below |
| K11 | Solid rim and parallel straight lines |
| K12 | Solid rim and neck, incised wavy line over parallel straight line |
| K13 | Amorphous design between upper and lower straight borders |
| K14 | Other (describe in notes) |
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M. Mittani Painted
| M1 | Alternating solid bands and lines on rim, neck and body |
| M2 | Thin line on rim with solid paint on neck |
| M3 | Parallel lines on neck and body |
| M4 | Solid paint on rim with parallel lines on neck and body |
| M5 | Alternating parallel dark solid areas and lines on rim, neck and body as background for white dotted circles/half circles decoration |
| M6 | Red or black solid paint as background for white painted animal figures |
| M7 | Red or black solid paint as background for running white half oval shapes decoration, (the opening of the oval shapes are either at top or bottom) |
| M8 | Running crosshatched triangles |
| M9 | Running crosshatched triangles alternating with star decoration bordered with solid paint |
| M10 | Alternating parallel solid bands and lines on rim, neck and body as background for wavy line decoration with parallel lines on top of rim |
| M11 | Alternating parallel solid bands and lines on rim, neck and body as background for triangles and dotted circles decoration with parallel lines on top of rim |
| M12 | Paint on both edges of a flat rim with some dark painted stripes highlighting negative space on top of the rim |
| M13 | Crosshatched band bordered with straight lines |
| M14 | Fingerprints on top of the rim |
| M15 | Solid paint covering entire vessel in the interior and exterior |
| M16 | Solid paint covering the exterior of the vessel up to interior edge of the rim |
| M17 | Triangles and dots on the body |
| M18 | Solid paint on rim exterior |
| M19 | Parallel stripes on top of a flat rim |
| M20 | Solid Paint on the interior |
| M21 | Spiral design painted on the interior of the base |
| M22 | Other |
| M23 | Ribbed band with painted stripes |
| M24 | Drip spots on interior or exterior / drip spots on handle |
| M25 | Solid paint on rim and on the upper body |
| M26 | Dark painted band with white vertical zig-zags as a second layer of paint |
| M27 | Red edged bowls or plates |
| M28 | Rope type decoration 1 or 2 lines (no longer in use) |
| M29 | Parallel solid black painted band with white design on the upper band and a star on the second band |
| M30 | Alternating oblique parallel lines and dots on top of a flat rim
|
| M31 | Combined decorations (no longer in use) |
| M32 | Checkerboard pattern |
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S. Stamped
| S1 | Concentric circles |
| S2 | Half circles |
| S3 | Wheat pattern |
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ZcaC: Color
ZcaC1: Interior Name
Munsell name
ZcaC2: Interior Number
Munsell number
ZcaC3: Exterior Name
Munsell name
ZcaC4: Exterior Number
Munsell number
ZcaC5: Temper Name
Munsell name
ZcaC6: Temper Number
Munsell number
ZcaC7: Painted Background A
Munsell name
ZcaC8: Painted Background B
Munsell number
ZcaC9: Painted Foreground A
Munsell name
ZcaC10: Painted Foreground B
Munsell number
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ZcaM: Measurement
ZcaM1: Percentage of rim.
Gives actual percentage number.
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ZcaF: Function
ZcaF1: Primary function
| 1 | Closed form, can be held in one hand, contents can only be poured out. Rim diameter smaller than 10 cm |
| 2 | Closed form, can be held in one hand, contents can be poured or scooped out. Rim diameter 10-14 cm |
| 3 | Closed form, can be held in two hands, contents can only be poured out, i.e. narrow necked jars. Rim diameter smaller than 10 cm |
| 4 | Closed form, can be held in two hands, contents can be poured or scooped. Rim diameter 15-20 cm |
| 5 | Closed or Open form, vessels cannot easily be moved, contents can only be scooped out. Rim diameter for closed forms, greater than 20 cm. Rim diameter for open forms greater, than 30 cm |
| 6 | Open form, can be held in one hand, contents can only be poured out. Rim diameter smaller than 10 cm |
| 7 | Open form, can be held in one hand, contents can be poured or scooped out. Rim diameter 10-14 cm |
| 8 | Open form, can be held in two hands, contents can only be scooped out. Rim diameter 15-30 cm |
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ZcaA: Time assignment
ZcaA1: Horizon
| LCH | Late Chalcolithic |
| (blank) | Third Millennium |
| K | Khabur |
| M | Mittani |
| MA | Middle Assyrian |
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