Title:
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A Typological Study of the Unpainted Pottery From the Petra Excavations.
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The aim of this study is to illustrate the different
types of unpainted pottery from the Petra excavations (1958-
1964), and to determine whether these types are restricted
to the Nabataean sites and do not occur elsewhere. Since
the study of the stratigraphy is not yet available, this is
accomplished by conducting an intensive search for parallel
examples of each type, if possible.
Approximately fifty thousand small pottery fragments
stored in the basement of the Institute of Archaeology,
University of London, have been handled and examined.
Thirteen hundred and fifty-five different types are
recognized and sorted into the different classes of vessels
to which they belong. Each of these classes is dealt with
in a separate chapter. Then, the similar types in each
class are carefully grouped into a specific family.
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The form of each type and the ware of the illustrated
examples are described. The similar parallel examples,
mainly from within Palestine and East Jordan, but
occasionally from without, are given. Consequently, a
conclusion for each family is drawn from these parallels in
order to establish the date of the similar examples and
their geographical distribution.
The majority of the pottery types cover the period of
approximately 75 B. C. - A. D. 150, and in a few cases occur in
a broader range from about the second century B. C. until the
sixth century A. D.
More than half the illustrated pottery types are
restricted to the Nabataean sites and are rarely paralleled
elsewhere. For this reason it is proposed to name these
vessels 'Nabataean'.
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