ROBERT SCHIESTL, ANNE SEILER (EDITORS)

HANDBOOK OF THE POTTERY OF THE EGYPTIAN MIDDLE KINGDOM

ÖSTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN
DENKSCHRIFTEN DER GESAMTAKADEMIE, BAND LXXII

Contributions to the Chronology

of the Eastern Mediterranean

Edited by Manfred Bietak

and Hermann Hunger

Volume XXVIII
ÖSTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN
DENKSCHRIFTEN DER GESAMTAKADEMIE, BAND LXXII

ROBERT SCHIESTL, ANNE SEILER (EDITORS)

HANDBOOK OF THE POTTERY

OF THE EGYPTIAN MIDDLE
KINGDOM
Volume II: The Regional Volume
 Vorgelegt von w. M. MANFRED BIETAK in der Sitzung am 12. Dezember 2008

Gedruckt mit Unterstützung des Holzhausenlegats

Spezialforschungsbereich SCIEM 2000

„Die Synchronisierung der Hochkulturen im östlichen Mittelmeerraum
im 2. Jahrtausend v. Chr.“
der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
beim Fonds zur Förderung
der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung

Special Research Programme SCIEM 2000

“The Synchronisation of Civilisations in the Eastern Mediterranean
in the Second Millennium B.C.”
of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
at the Austrian Science Fund

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 CONTENTS

Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Preface by the Editor of the Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
REGIONS
1. THE DELTA
Abu Ghalib:
TINE BAGH, Abu Ghalib – Early Middle Kingdom Settlement Pottery from the Western Nile Delta . . . . . . . . 13
Tell el-Dabca:
ERNST CZERNY, F/I, str. e: An Early Middle Kingdom Settlement Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
ERNST CZERNY, cEzbet Rushdi: Glimpses of a 12th Dynasty Town- and Temple Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
ROBERT SCHIESTL, Funerary Homogeneity. The Pottery from the Cemeteries of Strata d/2 (H)
and d/1 (G/4) at Tell el-Dabca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
KARIN KOPETZKY, The Dawn of the Middle Kingdom at Tell el-Dabca: Selected Pottery from Settlements
and Tombs from Phases G/1–3 and F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

2. MEMPHIS – FAIYUM REGION

Memphis:
JANINE BOURRIAU and CARLA GALLORINI, Pottery from Memphis, Kom Rabica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Helwan:
CHRISTIAN KNOBLAUCH, Middle Kingdom Ceramics from the Australian Centre for Egyptology Excavations
at Helwan/cEzbet Walda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Saqqara:
NOZOMU KAWAI, KAZUMITSU TAKAHASHI and KEN YAZAWA, Saqqara-North: Middle Kingdom Pottery
from the Waseda University Excavations at North-West Saqqara 2001–2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Dahshur:
DOROTHEA ARNOLD, Use and Disposal in a “Priests’ House” at Dahshur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
SUSAN J. ALLEN, Pyramid Ware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hawara:
ASHRAF SENOUSSI, Middle Kingdom Pottery from Hawara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Sedment:
BETTINA BADER, Sedment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

3. MIDDLE EGYPT
Deir el-Bersha:
LIES OP DE BEECK, CHRISTOPH PEETERS, HARCO WILLEMS, Middle Kingdom Pottery from Deir el-Bersha . . . . . 237
Asyut:
JOCHEM KAHL, EVA-MARIA ENGEL, LAURA SANHUEZA-PINO, Pottery from Asyut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

4. UPPER EGYPT
Dendara:
SYLVIE MARCHAND, Dendara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
6 Contents

Thebes:
ANNE SEILER, Middle Kingdom Pottery in the Theban Necropolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Region of El-Kubaniya:
CARLA GALLORINI, SERENA GIULIANI, Egyptian Pottery from the Pan Grave Cemetery
at Nag el-Qarmila, Aswan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Elephantine:
TEODOZJA RZEUSKA, Elephantine – a Place of an End and a Beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Mersa Gawasis, Red Sea:
CINZIA PERLINGIERI, Notes on a Middle Kingdom Zir Assemblage from Mersa Gawasis, Red Sea, Egypt . . . . . 361

5. NUBIAN FORTRESSES
STUART TYSON SMITH, Pottery from Askut and the Nubian Forts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377

6. OASES
Oasis of Dakhla:
SYLVIE MARCHAND, Pottery Finds from Settlements Dated to the End of the Late Middle Kingdom
and the Second Intermediate Period at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407

FABRICS
ANNE SEILER, Clay Pottery Fabrics of the Middle Kingdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429

Bibliographical Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
Sources for Illustrations on Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477
 ABBREVIATIONS

AI Amenemhet I forthc. forthcoming

A II Amenemhet II found. dep. foundation deposit
A III Amenemhet III gold golden slip
Abb. Abbildung Hamb Museum für Völkerkunde, Hamburg, Germa-
admin. administration ny
AI Aperture Index hm handmade
AI 1 Aperture Index 1 (DO. ARNOLD) hn. height of neck
AI 2 Aperture Index 2 (Z. SZAFRANSKI) ht. height
AM Department of Antiquities, Ashmolean Museum, IAA Israel Antiquities Authority
Oxford, UK in inside
appl. d applied decoration in prep. in preparation
ASL Above Sea Level inc. d incised decoration
bd black decoration KA Kerma Ancien
bd. base diameter KHM Ägyptische Sammlung, Kunsthistorisches
Be Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, Museum Wien, Austria
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Germany KM Kerma Moyen
bld blackened L Locus
bldb blackened burnished LÄM Leipzig, Ägyptisches Museum der Universität,
BM British Museum London, UK Germany
BMFA Boston Museum of Fine Arts, USA LC Living Context
Bol Bolton Museum and Art Gallery, UK Lev. Coll. Lever Collection
BoS Ägyptisches Museum der Universität Bonn, Ger- Lille Mission Archéologique Française au Sudan,
many Université de Lille 3, France
brcb brown coated burnished Liv Uni SAOS Liverpool University Museum, School of
Archaeology and Oriental Studies, UK
brd brown decoration
LM Liverpool Merseyside Museum, UK
BRU Brussels, Royal Museums of Art and History, Bel-
gium lo h lower half
BS Bauschicht Louv The Department of Egyptian Antiquities, The
Louvre Museum, Paris, France
BXHM Bexhill Museum, UK
LP Late Period
Cairo, JdE Cairo Museum, Journal d’Entrée, Egypt
lv. level
compl. complex
M II Mentuhotep II
CPAM Centre polonais d’archéologie méditerranéenne
M III Mentuhotep III
cream rd cream slip red decoration
Man The Manchester Museum, The University of
CV Handbook of Pottery of the Egyptian Middle
Manchester, UK
Kingdom Volume I: Corpus Volume
max.d. maximum diameter
D Dynasty
MB Middle Bronze Age
DAN Drac Abu el-Naga/Thebes-West
md monochrome decoration
DD Deliberate Dump
Melb-Vic Melbourne, Museum of Victoria, Australia
dec. decoration
MK Middle Kingdom
2nd dec. 2nd decade
MM Medelhavsmuseet (The Museum of Mediter-
dep. deposit ranean and Near Eastern Antiquities), Stock-
E East holm, Sweden
ED Early Dynastic MMA Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
EVE Estimated Vessel Equivalent MN Muzeum Narodowe (National Museum in War-
FD Fine Dating saw), Poland
fig. figure MNI Minimum Number of Individuals
FIP First Intermediate Period N North
FM Department of Antiquities, Fitzwilliam Museum, n.d. no date
Cambridge, UK nd. neck diameter
8 Abbreviations

NE North-east SCA-Mag.Mat Supreme Council of Antiquities magazine,

NK New Kingdom Matariya
NM nubisches Mittelalter SE South-east
NMB National Museum Beirut, Lebanon sh. shaft
NMD The National Museum of Denmark, Collection SIP Second Intermediate Period
of Classical and Near Eastern Antiquities, slp fine Nile Silt slip (see E. CZERNY 1995, 102)
Copenhagen, Denmark
sq. square
NMI National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
Str. Stratum
no. number
superstr. superstructure
Nr. Nummer
SW South-west
NW North-west
T Thutmose
OF Offering Place
Taf. Tafel
OIC Oriental Institute Chicago, USA
OK Old Kingdom TC Tomb Card

OP Operation TIP Third Intermediate Period

out outside TNI Total Number of Individuals
p plain trc thick red coating
pb plain burnished trcb thick red coating burnished
pc pink coated TT Theban Tomb
pcb pink coated burnished twc thick white coating
Phil University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archae- UC Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, Uni-
ology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, USA versity College London, UK
PW Pyramid Ware (see S. ALLEN, RV) up h upper half
rc red coated US Unités Stratigraphiques
rcb red coated burnished VI Vessel Index
rd red decoration W West
rd. rim diameter WC Ware Code
rd+bdb red and black decoration, burnished wc white coated
rr red rim wcb white coated burnished
RV Handbook of Pottery of the Egyptian Middle wd white decoration
Kingdom Volume II: Regional Volume
wo worn
S South
wr white rim
SI Senwosret I
ws white spots (fingerprints)
S II Senwosret II
S III Senwosret III wvr wavy rim
SCA-Mag.EAEM Supreme Council of Antiquities magazine, yc yellow coated
el-cAraba el-Madfuna ycb yellow coated burnished
 PREFACE BY THE EDITOR OF THE SERIES
Manfred Bietak
This second volume of the Handbook of the Pottery of the
Egyptian Middle Kingdom has become known to con-
tributors and collaborators as the Regional volume. A
hitherto unparalleled collection of ceramic studies
emphasising local traits and features, it helps create a
complex and comprehensive picture of Middle King-
dom ceramics throughout the land of Egypt, of
Nubian fortresses and of the oases. Much of the mate-
rial presented has never been published before and
most of it has been produced by recent, ongoing
excavations. Excavators and researchers from several
European countries, the USA, Egypt, and even as far
afield as Australia and Japan, willingly donated their
latest, up-to-date materials and results in contributing
to this major step forward in Egyptian pottery
research which we had set about planning and hope
we have been able to achieve with this Handbook.
Unlike the first one, the Corpus volume which, to a
large extent, contains the research of the authors and
editors Robert Schiestl and Anne Seiler, the collec-
tion of articles in the Regional volume mirrors not only
the variety of local output, but also the keen, lively
and continuing discussion on many aspects of Egypt-
ian pottery research. However, this volume reveals
and signals not only abiding problems, questions,
lacunae and desirable research topics, but impres-
sively highlights current research achievements.
Looking back at the initial meetings of the pottery
research group in the 1970s (mentioned in the Preface
to the Corpus-volume), one becomes aware of the
amazing expansion of knowledge of Ancient Egypt-
ian ceramics, including Middle Kingdom Pottery. At
that time it was based mostly on outdated und not
very reliable publications but, since then, archaeo-
logical work has turned up an overwhelming volume
of well-stratified material which went on to be exca-
vated and processed to modern standards. An ever-
growing stream of publications has started to appear
so that many gaps in our knowledge have been filled.
Once almost completely neglected by Egyptological
studies, many pottery research results have, by now,
found their way into the corpus of well-established,
common Egyptological knowledge.
The number of Egyptologists specially trained for
pottery research has increased steadily over the years.
The present volume – which brings together much of
the current research – would in no way have been
possible one or two decades ago and should be
understood as a testimony to the transformation of
pottery research from its pioneering beginnings to a
well-established branch of Egyptology. However, it
might also be viewed as a staging post, a pause for a
breather and a useful synopsis on the long road
which still lies ahead.
I would like to thank all those who have con-
tributed in such an exemplary and unprecedented
way to this volume and also to express the wish that
the present volume might add a strong impetus to
further Middle Kingdom pottery research.
Manfred Bietak
First Speaker at SCIEM 2000
 PREFACE
Robert Schiestl and Anne Seiler
The Regional Volume brings together 22 contribu-
tions by the editors and colleagues reporting on pot-
tery found in ongoing or recently completed excava-
tions.1 For the authors’ generosity and willingness to
present this material, often still work-in-progress as
part of a cycle of studies not yet completed, the edi-
tors can be but very grateful.
This volume has been angled as a methodological
counterpoint to the Corpus Volume which is typolo-
gically structured. These studies provide crucial infor-
mation on site-specific methodology, stratigraphy and
archaeological contexts from which the pottery deri-
ves. The chronological framework of the sites and,
thus, the basis for dating the pottery are presented.
Analysis and interpretations of particular pottery
depositions offer new insights into the functions and
use of pottery. Quantitative aspects of fabrics, surface
treatments and shapes are also addressed. The
emphasis in this volume is on site-specific aspects of
the ceramic repertoire which may include the parti-
cular, the unusual or the unique, whereas the corpo-
ral structure of the first volume has gone to blur such
features.
The pottery of the Regional Volume is included in
the Corpus Volume either by depiction on the plates
or by reference. However, whilst the Corpus Volume
discusses only Egyptian pottery, the Regional Volume
1 3
Individual contributions were handed in between 2005 and
2008. For editorial reasons, bibliographies could not be
updated.
2
BAINES and MÁLEK 1984.
includes imported pottery to help give a full picture
of the finds at a particular site during the period
under review.
The contributors present “their” material on their
own terms, the editors only harmonising the spelling
of site-names based on J. Baines and J. Málek.2 The
Regional Volume reflects a wide range of approaches
to studying and presenting pottery of the MK.
Inspired by a model suggested by J. Bourriau,3 the
sites are grouped into the following regions which are
presented from north to south: the Delta, the Mem-
phis-Faiyum region, Middle Egypt, Upper Egypt
(including the Elephantine region) and the Nubian
fortresses. Finally, a chapter on the oases has been
added. Knowledge of the ceramic material of these
regions continues to be very uneven, with some parts
of the above-mentioned areas remaining almost a
complete blank whilst, at some sites, substantial pot-
tery corpora for the Middle Kingdom have been put
together.
Finally, colour plates illustrate a select group of
vessels. Additionally, colour photographs of breaks
assemble the fabrics of the Vienna System used in the
MK. Added to this are breaks of fabrics which are not
yet included in the Vienna System, namely hitherto
unclassified Upper Egyptian Marl clays4 and clays
from the oases.5
BOURRIAU 1991c.
4
SEILER, RVb.
5
MARCHAND, RVb.
POTTERY FINDS FROM SETTLEMENTS DATED TO THE END OF THE LATE MIDDLE KINGDOM
AND THE SECOND INTERMEDIATE PERIOD AT AIN ASIL (OASIS OF DAKHLA)1
Sylvie Marchand
INTRODUCTION: THE POTTERY OF THE WESTERN
OASES DATED TO THE MIDDLE KINGDOM
It is impossible to ignore the large oases of the west-
ern desert when writing about Egyptian pottery and
the material culture of the MK and the SIP. We
adhere to the analysis made by Janine Bourriau2 who
suggests to divide the Egyptian territory regionally for
this time period concerning material culture, part of
which is of course pottery. She defines five well docu-
mented regions: Eastern Delta, Lower Egypt (Mem-
phite region, Faiyum), Middle Egypt, Upper Egypt
and the region of Aswan. To this list the oases could
be added, namely the oasis of Dakhla.
Many authors, among them Anne Seiler,3 have
clearly pointed out the discrepancies between the
north and the south of Egypt concerning the pottery
forms dated to the SIP, beginning with the emer-
gence of local styles in the 13th Dynasty. The analysis
of the pottery finds of Dakhla of the same period
allows us to complete the picture of regional variants
of the whole Egyptian territory by adding the Egypt-
ian oases.
It is correct that, at the present state of archaeo-
logical research, the oases of Bahariya4 and Kharga5
have only revealed a small number of structures and
pottery of the MK. This is not anymore the case of the
oasis of Dakhla where archaeological work has been
done for several decades.6 All this research has
emphasized the human settlement in this region dur-
ing the MK/SIP.
1
I would like to thank Khaled Zaza (IFAO) who made all the
illustrations.
2
BOURRIAU 1997, 159.
3
SEILER 2003, 58–68.
4
COLIN, LAISNEY and MARCHAND 2000, fig. 9: double bread-
mould (Group 1a of the catalogue of Ain Asil) related to
the ceramic material of the13th Dynasty to the 18th Dynasty
on the surface of the necropolis of Qaret el-Tub. The sec-
ond necropolis is the one of Khataba, south of the oasis,
which was analyzed in 2000. Intact double bread-moulds
have been found from the 13th Dynasty to the 18th Dynasty.
5
This refers to the necropolis of Ain Askar in the north of the
oasis of Kharga. The ceramic forms of one part of the tombs
are identical with the ones discovered at Ain Asil dated to
The surveys first conducted at the end of the
1970’s by the Dakhla Oasis Project (DOP) have
made it possible to identify pottery associated with
tombs dated to the end of the MK/SIP.7 Later on, in
the 1980’s, the work of the IFAO in Balat at the
necropolis of Qilac el-Dabba8 brought to light an
important group of tombs dated to the time from
the 12th and 13th Dynasties to the SIP. During the
period from 1996 to 1999, first surveys were made in
the southern part of Ain Asil, a site that is generally
known for its palace of governors dated to the end
of the OK. In the course of these surveys the first
remains of a settlement of the 13th Dynasty/SIP were
discovered.9 From 2000 to 2007 the complete south-
ern sector of the Ain Asil site was excavated exten-
sively. This excavation uncovered all the buildings of
the end of the MK and the SIP. The pottery from the
excavation of this settlement is the subject of the fol-
lowing presentation.
1. THE POTTERY DATED TO THE END OF THE 13th
DYNASTY/SIP OF THE AIN ASIL SETTLEMENT
(OASIS OF DAKHLA)
The remains dated to the end of the 13th Dynasty/SIP
are to be found in the southern part of the Ain Asil
site at the location of the old palace of the governors
of the reign of Pepy II.10 They are spread out, inter-
mittently, over an area extending 200 m north-south
and 50 m east-west. Three buildings can be distin-
guished: the northern and central parts are adjacent
the end of the 13th Dynasty. The excavations were made in
1997 under the direction of Ahmed Bahgat (responsible of
the inspectorate of Kharga). I would like to thank Mr. Bah-
gat for allowing me to draw the pottery and study the doc-
umentation stored at the inspectorate of Kharga. For some
examples of ceramic forms, cf. MARCHAND in print.
6
See GIDDY 1987.
7
HOPE 1987a and 1999.
8
AUFRÈRE 1990.
9
See BAUD 1997; for the ceramic forms related to these
sondages, cf. MARCHAND 2003. MARCHAND and SOUKIASSIAN,
2010.
10
See SOUKIASSIAN 2002.
408 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla Sylvie Marchand

x 1000
x 800 132,50
(zone de l’ enceinte
fortifiée de la VIe dyn)

N
0,00
13

y 800

(zone du palais du
règne de Pépy II)

ensemble
Nord

ensemble
Centre

130,00
y 600

ensemble
Sud 0 50 100 m

Fig. 1

to each other, the southern part is separated from the
other two by a distance of 50 m (Fig. 1).
The buildings are located on a surface consisting of
the sand-silted ruins of the 6th Dynasty and FIP. The
foundation of the walls is on a layer of a virgin sand
dune that had formed during the four centuries when
the site had been abandoned. In some cases the walls
are directly founded on the protruding ruins dated to
the end of the OK. According to the current state of
archaeological documentation at Ain Asil, there is no
trace of an occupation before the 13th Dynasty/SIP.
However, it has to be pointed out that in the necropo-
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla)
lis near Ain Asil, at Qilac el-Dabba,11 at least two tombs
exist that are clearly dated to the 12th Dynasty,12 the
other graves are dated to the 13th Dynasty and the SIP.
For the description of the Ceramic Phases (1–4)
from the MK, found on the site of Ain Asil see Table 1
(cf. Fig. 1).
The publication concerning the excavation of the
remains subsequent to the 6th Dynasty and the FIP,
that is of the 13th Dynasty/SIP (Phases 1–4),13 is cur-
rently in print. The following text is an abstract of this
publication. The number of the group of ceramics is
the same as the one used in the publication of the
site, which explains the “gaps” in the consecutive
numbering of the catalogue. The references in this
text are deliberately reduced to their most simple
form. For the complete references the publication of
the excavation needs to be consulted.
In this presentation of the catalogue,14 the focus is
primarily on a survey of the local pottery and some
rare imports found in the settlement of Ain Asil from
that time. If the function of the vessels is discussed,
the classification of the ceramics in the catalogue fol-
lows this logic. More precise explanations concerning
the analysis of the series and especially of the objects’
archaeological context will be made in the general
publication concerning the site.
1.1 Ceramic Phase 1
It is advisable to examine the criteria of morphologi-
cal and technological evolution of the vessels shown
in order to determine the chronology as precisely as
possible. Ceramics that are exclusively known in the
Phase 1 Phase 2
Northern and cen- Northern and cen-
Hiatus
tral ensembles tral ensembles
cf. Fig. 1 cf. Fig. 1
13th Dynasty, SIP,
SIP
approx. 1700 approx. 1600
Table 1
11
AUFRÈRE 1990, 1–29; BALLET 1990, 18–29. The ceramic
forms in the tombs of this site are currently analyzed in a
thesis by Valérie Leprovost.
12
BALLET 1990, 18–29, tomb no. 12.
13
I would like to point out that a publication on the ceramics
discovered at Ain Asil dated to the NK exists already, MAR-
CHAND and TALLET 1999.
14
See list of fabrics.
15
See catalogue.
409
Ceramic Phase 1 and that disappear in the Ceramic
Phase 2 are very rare: Groups 6, 35b, 40, 41a, 41b, 45,
58. They belong to the 13th Dynasty, a more precise
determination, however, is not (yet) possible.
The conditions of the site could give one a wrong
impression: to assume something as proven and gener-
ally valid, if proof is missing, is dangerous, especially if
it concerns archaeological series that are based on one
or two recorded individuals. The Canaanite jar (Group
58) for example was only attested in Phase 1. This form
exists, throughout Egypt, since the end of the 12th
Dynasty and was used during the SIP (Ceramic Phases
1–4). The most frequent case is the form of Phase 1,
which remains identical in Phase 2 (Phase = Phase
1–2), where a technological and morphological evolu-
tion takes place which is so subtle that is does not rep-
resent a real rupture. The vessel which shows the least
amount of development in Phases 1–215 is the bread-
mould, however, in this regard it is not the only one.
The group of bread-moulds can be divided into two
forms for the period under discussion: the double
bread-mould (Group 1a) and the simple bread-mould
(Group 1b). Tubular bread-moulds which are identical
to the bread-moulds of the Nile Valley are very rare and
are only attested in the stratigraphy beginning with
Phase 2 of the SIP. The bread-moulds (Group 1a–b)
mostly bear finely incised marks applied before firing.16
The repertoire of the motifs is composed of 66 differ-
ent characters. The most common marks are geomet-
ric, with all sorts of combinations of horizontal and ver-
tical lines, curves, triangles, circles. Other motifs seem
to be hieroglyphic signs or signs derived from hieratic.17
Phase 4
Phase 3
All sectors (no con-
Northern building
structed structure)
End of 17th Dynasty,
SIP
approx. 1580–1540
16
Group 1a: double bread-moulds: unmarked examples:
2526; marked examples: 440. Normal size: 18 cm < length <
20 cm; average ht.: 8.5 cm. There are some rare exceptions:
10 small-sized individuals module B (average length: 12cm;
average ht.: 5 cm), 1 individual of large size, module C
(length: 26.5 cm; ht.: 10 cm).
Group 1b: bread-moulds: unmarked examples: 1635; marked
examples: 134. Normal size: average Ø: 18 cm; average ht.: 8
cm. There are some rare exceptions: 10 small sized individu-
als, module B (average Ø: 10 cm; average ht.: 4.2 cm).
17
The classic list of signs is used: GARDINER 1982.
410 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla
After having identified the most distinct signs, one dis-
covers that the interpretation of their usage is limited.
Hieroglyphic signs completed the necessarily limited
range of geometric signs. They are probably identifica-
tion marks to facilitate the distribution of vessels to one
destined individual or to a group of individuals. Bread-
moulds without motifs are, however, prevalent in the
documentation, but there is no explanation for this.
The storage jars (Group 8a) for food and the pots
for preparing food (Group 4a) do not show any mor-
phological change during the Phases 1 and 2. The jars
are destined to be embedded or built-in to the soil.
Geometric markings, mostly incised before firing, are
frequent on the intact examples. These vessels are
large. The existing examples have a capacity of 39, 42,
51 and 70 litres. Small vases for ladling, bowls (Groups
9a and 19a), covers (Groups 53) and stoppers made of
clay (Group 52a) are associated with the storage jars.
Pots for preparing food (Group 4a) can be set on
the ground and have a convenient size for transport-
ing them from one place to another. The heights of
26, 28, 29 and 30 cm are the most frequent sizes.
Some larger vessels exist, with heights of 40, 42 and
50 cm. Their capacities are 14.5, 15.3, 15.5, 21, 27,
28.9, 29, 56 and 58.8 litres.
The family of necked jars (Group 8) is the most
frequent during this period. It is quite simple to rec-
ognize all variants: rims with rolled or folded lips
(Group 42a) or with more or less inturned lips
(Group 42b). Bases display pronounced scraping.
The base shape is either oval (Group 42b), which is
most common, or round (Group 42d). In addition
this family is characterized by the use of the fabric P1
and finally by the same surface treatment of a partial
outer red slip often dispersed in large spots. The
height of the neck can vary from short (Group 42d)
to high (Group 42a–b), but the often fragmentary
state of the sherds impelled us not to use this feature
for morphological distinctions.
Two kinds of vessels, which without doubt have dif-
ferent functions, can be distinguished. The smallest
has the ideal size for a cooking pot, which is con-
firmed by the frequent occurrence of marks of
scorching. The other is an excellent example of a jar
for storing and cooking food. At least two examples
18
For the index (∅ / ht. × 100) as criterion for determining
the date of hemispheric cups from the end of the FIP to the
end of the MK (13th Dynasty), see DO. ARNOLD 1988, 140.
The index decreases as you advance in time. This system
has been developed by Manfred Bietak for the cups dated
to the SIP: BIETAK 1991a, 50, fig. 14.
Sylvie Marchand
with spouts for pouring (Group 42g) can be identi-
fied. There should be more of these examples, but
due to the fragmentary state of the sherds, they are
not preserved. The clay stoppers (Group 52) have
diameters of 8–9–9.5–11 cm, which fit the opening of
the jars. No jar, however, has been found with a stop-
per. Only one large jar of the Group 42d has a geo-
metric mark incised before firing.
Certain vessels show a clear morphological evolu-
tion and are traditionally considered reliable chrono-
logical indicators. The hemispherical cup (Group
10) is a well-known vessel for this purpose. It is found
in all the sites dated to the MK/SIP, from the Delta,
throughout the whole Nile Valley, in the oases and in
Nubia. At first sight it seems to be quite simple to
identify the chronological evolution for the Phases 1
and 2. However, the system of indices established by
Do. Arnold18 based on the hemispheric cups of Lisht,
creates a certain confusion19 for our material. In the
first instance, the hemispheric cups of Ain Asil are
“abnormally” small in diameter and in height, if one
compares them to the series of the Nile Valley and
also to the nearby necropolis of Qilac el-Dabba.20 We
even came to the point where we asked ourselves if
these bowls really belong to the specific category of
“hemispheric cups” as it appears in the literature. We
have, however, calculated the indices and have
obtained the following results:
Phases 1 and 1–2:
Group 10a: 154< Index <188. Common dimensions:
∅ 8 cm, ht. 5 cm
Group 10b1: 154< Index <160. Common dimensions:
∅ 8 cm, average ht. 5.3 cm
Group 10b2: 166< Index <175. Common dimensions:
∅ 10.5–11.5 cm, ht. 6–6.9 cm
Group 10b3: 141< Index <160. Common dimensions:
∅ 7.6–8.8 cm, ht. 5–5.5 cm
1.2 Ceramic Features in Phases 1 and 1–2 and their
Dating
To recap: the ceramics that occur in phase 1 and of
which the shapes remain identical during phase 2 are
identified in the catalogue as part of Phase 1–2.
19
Concerning the difficulties encountered by Bettina Bader
during her study of the hemispheric cups between two
major sites, Memphis and Tell el-Dabca, with a distance of
130 km, see BADER 2007, 251–258.
20
See BALLET 1990, 25.
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla)
The characteristics of the features of the ceramic
phases 1 and 1–2 can be summarized in the follow-
ing:
– ceramics for domestic use for storing, preparing
and consuming food, among them bread-moulds
and cooking pots, as well as pottery for everyday
use and the associated utensils are frequent;
– a local production that is technologically hardly
diversified and is characterised by potter’s working
techniques and some simple and repeated decora-
tive figures, used for open or closed forms: rims
with folded or rolled lips (Group 8, 42), with
pinched lips (Groups 9, 49) and surface decora-
tion of painted vertical stripes (Group 9). The sur-
face treatment is always identical, consisting main-
ly of a partial dull red slip which is applied in spots
and drippy streaks. This is to be found on all
shapes, open and closed.
– a sparsely diversified repertoire of fabrics and fir-
ing methods, which excludes the notion of an elab-
orated “medium to long” distance exchange sys-
tem;
– double bread-moulds (Group 1a);21
– local particularities visible in the standards adopt-
ed for groups known both in the oases and the Nile
Valley, such as, for example, anomalies of the
hemispherical cups (Group 10a–b)22 or the bowls
with painted decoration and rounded bases
(Group 9);23
– a local standard of production in the oases that can
be compared, in certain cases, to the contempo-
rary productions of the Egyptian territory, such as
the Faiyum, Middle Egypt, Upper Egypt (Groups
1f, 9, 35, 36, 42, 49, etc.) and in some cases even to
the ceramics of the Western Delta (Group 9);
21
Oasis of Bahariya: MARCHAND 2000b, 169–173 and 184–187;
Oasis of Kharga: necropolis of Ain Askar. At least one intact
double bread-mould was found in tomb 5; see MARCHAND,
in print.
Upper Egypt, Karnak: a fragment of a double bread-mould
was identified in the US (Unités Stratigraphiques) 10040.8,
E. LANOË, Karnak au Moyen Empire. La fouille de la zone
centrale du temple d’Amon-Ré, Internal Report by courtesy
of the author.
Nubia: tomb with double bread-moulds associated with
“Pan Grave” pottery, SIMPSON 1963, 44 and pl. XXII, no. 29.
22
See further BADER 2007, 251–258 (p. 251, note 3), where
the author enumerates the main sites where these hemi-
spheric cups are proven to be found per region.
23
In the Nile Valley, for example, in Armant, in Harageh or
in the Delta in Tell el-Dabca, the bowls (= Group 9) all sys-
411
– some rare imports from the Nile Valley and non-
Egyptian imports (Group 45, Nile B2, 1 piece;
Group 58, Palestinian jar, 1 piece);
– the presence of one piece of Nubian domestic pot-
tery belonging to the Kerma24 tradition (Group 39).
The examination of the most significant groups
and the archaeological remains provides consistent
indications for the beginning of Phase 1 in the first
half of the 13th Dynasty and of a Phase 2 that merges
into and covers part of the SIP. Once this line of inter-
nal continuous development is established, it is per-
mitted to try to insert this sequence in an absolute
chronology. We suggest to place the beginning of the
Phase 1 in the 13th Dynasty, approx. 1700 BC, and the
end of the Phase 2 in the SIP, approx. 1600 BC. The
duration of about hundred years is – all things con-
sidered – quite short for domestic pottery. This pre-
sumably explains the feeble or absent evolution of a
part of the formal repertoire during the ceramic
Phases 1 and 2.
2. CLASSIFICATION OF THE CERAMIC FABRICS
The repertoire of fabrics presented is an extract of
the general publication of the excavation (MARCHAND
and SOUKIASSIAN 2010).
The characteristics of the red clay of the oases
have already been the subject of the publication by P.
Ballet and M. Picon based on the material of the pot-
ters’ workshops of Ain Asil dated to the end of the
OK and the FIP.25 Therefore this subject will not be
treated here. Nevertheless, we would like to remind
the reader that for the more recent periods, the
knowledge of the oases clays has been useful for the
studies accomplished during the investigations of
the levels dated to the NK at Balat, and the studies of
C. Hope for the Dakhleh Oasis Project.26 Additionally
tematically have a flat base. See for example ASTON 2004,
56, Group 1. This is also the case for the decorated bowls (=
Group 9) with flat base that are related to the tombs in the
oasis of Dakhla, see HOPE 1987a, 42, fig. 14.
24
The distinction between the Nubian pottery of the Kerma tra-
dition and those belonging to the Pan-Grave tradition is the
task of experts. For our material, we follow the advice of
Brigitte Gratien for which we are very grateful. Concerning
these difficulties of identification, see GRATIEN 2000, 123–125.
25
SOUKIASSIAN, WUTTMANN, PANTALACCI, BALLET and PICON
1990, 75–85.
26
This concerns mainly the work done on amphorae and the
material related to the NK: MARCHAND and TALLET 1999,
307–352, fig. 49–73; macro colour photograph of the main
fabrics of local and other Dakhla amphorae, HOPE 1999.
412 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla
the existence of various other projects concerning
pottery from the oases and especially the material
discovered at the sites of the Nile Valley27 has to be
mentioned.
The most frequent local and imported fabrics for
Phase 1 (end of the MK) are the fabrics: P1, P2, P3,
P4, P7 and P8.
Fabric P1 (Pl. Va)
Local, zoned, coarse fabric. It contains a large
amount of mineral inclusions: round sand grains,
quartzite particles, yellow hollow voids, small red
flakes, mica. The porous texture shows in the break a
large amount of straw that is also very visible in the
negative on the surface of the vessels. This clay treat-
ment is a real “trade mark” which occurs even after
the 13th Dynasty. The technique of production of the
vessels made of P1 is not very sophisticated. The
scraping of the rounded bases is deep and overlap-
ping (Groups 8, 9, 19a, 42) and there are frequent
cases of over-firing.
The most frequently used surface treatment is a
dull red, not very thickly applied slip, partially cover-
ing the surface, applied in spots and drippy streaks.
Most frequently the decoration is painted in red.
The decorative repertoire is stereotypical and often
repeated. It consists mostly of vertical bands or
streaks. In some rare cases, the motifs on some jars
are more complex, consisting of wavy lines, and in
one case, of horizontal lines or vertical serpentines.
Another decorative technique, frequently associat-
ed with motifs painted in red, is the pinching of the
jar’s lips and, in the case of bowls, the pinching of the
lips and the carination (Group 9, 28, 49). In one case,
imprinted fingernails can be discerned on the base
(Group 9a).
Ceramic forms P1: Groups 6 (Fig. 4), 9 (Figs. 5, 7),
12d (Fig. 8), 18 (Fig. 8), 19 (Fig. 8), 28 (Fig. 9), 35
(Fig. 9), 36 (Figs. 9, 10), 42 (Fig. 11), 49 (Fig. 12).
Fabric P2 (Pl. Vb)
Local, moderately fine fabric, sandy, zoned or homo-
geneous. It contains a large amount of plant-based or
mineral inclusions. One finds as inclusions sand, yel-
low nodules, small red nodules and a large amount of
27
Concerning the oases amphorae found at Nile Valley sites, see
HOPE, ECCLESTON, ROSE and BOURRIAU 2002. In conclusion, we
would like to mention the ongoing study at the IFAO con-
cerning the labels of wine jars found at Deir el-Medineh by
Laurent Bavay, J. Bourriau, S. Marchand and P. Tallet. In this
Sylvie Marchand
straw. The texture is qualified as fine because the
porosity is reduced by smaller inclusions than in fab-
ric P1. The red slip often covers the surface only par-
tially and is dispersed in spots. Frequently the red
colour on the rims of the vessels is enhanced. A red
burnished slip is less frequently used.
Ceramic forms P2: Groups 10 (Fig. 7), 12 (Fig. 8),
19 (Fig. 8), 20 (Fig. 9).
Fabric P3 (Pl. Vb)
Local, moderately coarse clay, very dense, heavy and
well fired. The zoned break most often contains a
black to grey centre. Characteristic inclusions are
concreted sand, red and yellow nodules and a large
amount of straw with long fibres. The light surface is
only rarely slipped, often it is simply smoothed or cov-
ered with a slight, often partial red slip. A large
amount of straw inclusions is visible as negatives.
Ceramic forms P3: Groups 3 (Fig. 2), 4 (Fig. 3), 8
(Fig. 4, 5, 6).
Fabric P4 (Pl. Vd)
Local, coarse fabric. A heavy use of large straw tem-
per characterizes this kind of fabric.
Ceramic forms P4: Groups 1–2 (Fig. 2).
Fabric P7: Nubian pottery (Pl. Ve and f)
It is not difficult to identify the Nubian ceramics with
its shapes, special firing techniques, and decorations.
The assumption, however, that it is in all cases an allu-
vial fabric, Nile silt ware, and consequently imported
pottery has to be differentiated. It is recommended
to analyse prudently and precisely certain, sometimes
curious, colour variants in the break, going from
bright red to yellow, and the origin of certain miner-
al incisions that are uncharacteristic for an alluvial
Nubian “classic fabric”.28 Why not consider in certain
cases a local production that uses about the same
morphological and technical methods as employed
by the Nubian potters?
Fabric P7a (Pl. Ve)
In almost all cases, this is a fabric with a large amount
of straw inclusions, of large round sand grains,
white/yellow hollow sometimes concave nodules, and
large collection of documents, a small group of labels come
from the oases: BAVAY, MARCHAND and TALLET 2000, fig. 6.
28
To be mentioned for example: the Group 39a (2232-2; 1811-
2, 1896-23) and the Group 39c (2285-11, G25 (2)). Concern-
ing this question, see DE PAEPE, GRATIEN and PRIVATI 1992.
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) 413

mica. The core is often completely black in the break Group 3: Cellular sectioned plates (Fig. 2)
and the break is rarely zoned. The colour of the outer Fabric P4. Light surface, interior well smoothed,
surface is light brown, often with a fine almost shiny hand-made
texture. The inside surface of the pots is in some Phases 1–2
cases plain black and polished. The rim is often black NMI = 2 examples
(Group 39c), the decoration29 consists of fine or over- Group 4a: Pots for food preparation (Fig. 3)
lapping incisions (Group 39c). The bottoms of the Fabric P3. Light surface rarely red slipped, hand-
cooking pots are reworked by hand30 (Group 39c). made, interior always well smoothed, base always very
Ceramic forms P7a: Groups 39c (Fig. 10). coarsely scraped
Fabric P7b (Pl. Vf) Phases 1–2
MNI = 213 examples
This fabric is of a finer texture than the previous one
due to the size of the plant-based and mineral inclu- Group 4b: Thin walled pots (Fig. 3)
sions. It is characterized by a special firing technique Fabric P3. Partially red slipped, wheel-made
that creates a red burnished external surface with Phases 1–2
black rim. The internal surface is invariably black MNI = 4 examples
burnished. Group 6: Bowl with external scratch marks (Fig. 4)
Fabric P1. Surface eroded
Fabric P8: Canaanite jars imported from Syria-Pales- Phase 1
tine (Pl. Vg) MNI = 1 example
Medium fine fabric with a homogeneous break, with Group 8a: Fixed storage jars (Fig. 4, 5, 6)
a large amount of irregular quartzite inclusions, visi- Fabric P3. Base always very coarsely scraped, light sur-
ble to the naked eye, it is easily recognized. Some rare face or partial red slip, hand-made, marks incised
small black nodules can be discerned too. The sur- before firing, protruding lip generally with marks at
face is faintly yellow and smoothed. the base of the neck, base can be round or flat
Ceramic forms P8: Group 58 (Fig. 13). Phases 1–2
MNI = 11 examples
3. FUNCTIONAL CATALOGUE OF VESSELS OF THE
CERAMIC PHASES 1 AND 1–2 Group 9a: Bowls with painted decoration of red ver-
tical bands, pinched lips and carination (Fig. 5, 7)
Group 1a: Double bread-moulds (Fig. 2)
Fabric P1. Partial red slip applied in spots and drippy
Fabric P4. Interior well smoothed, light surface,
streaks
hand-made, frequent traces of fire under the vessel
Phases 1–2
Phases 1–2
MNI = 5
MNI unmarked = 2526 examples
MNI marked = 440 examples Group 9d: Large bowls with pinched lips (Fig. 7)
Fabric P1. Partial red slip applied in broad drippy
Group 1b: Simple bread-moulds (Fig. 2)
streaks
Fabric P4. Interior well smoothed, light surface,
Phases 1–2
hand-made, frequent traces of fire under the vessel
MNI = 1
Phases 1–2
MNI unmarked = 1635 examples Group 10: Hemispherical cups/drinking cups (Fig. 7)
MNI marked = 134 examples Fabric P2. Partial red slip applied in spots
Group 2: ‘Dokka’-plates (Fig. 2) Phases 1–2
Fabric P4. Very badly fired, hand-made MNI = 271
Phases 1–2 Group 12: Small pot stands (for the drinking cups of
MNI = 7 examples Group 10?) (Fig. 8)

29 30
GRATIEN 2000, 113–148. VIROT 2005, 250–251: the honeycomb-like appearance of
the bottom of the pots comes from the traces of fingers that
touched the pot during manufacture by coiling.
414 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla Sylvie Marchand

Group 12a (Fig. 8) hand-made, traces of fire inside, the base cut, thus it
Fabric P2. Partial red slip applied in drippy streaks, in is not possible to determine shape
certain cases the drippy streaks can be connected Phases 1–2
with a decoration of vertical bands, bottom rim inside MNI = 1
scrapped coarsely with knife Group 35: Cooking pots with inturned lips (Fig. 9)
Phases 1–2 Almost all of these jars systematically carry traces of fire
MNI = 58 on the external edge of the lip. The diameter of the
Group 12c: (Fig. 8) opening is of standard size, it varies between 10 and 11
Fabric P1. Partial red slip applied in drippy streaks cm on average. Cups/lids (Group 36) adapt perfectly
Phases 1–2 to their opening. These cooking pots are all of small
MNI = 1 size, which is generally the case in Pharaonic times.
Group 12d: Pot stands of normal or miniaturized size Group 35a
(Fig. 8) Fabric P1. Partial red slip
Fabric P1. Partial red slip applied in drippy streaks Phases 1–2
Phases 1–2 MNI = 34
MNI = 43
Group 35b
Group 12e: Ring-shaped miniaturized pot stands Fabric P1. Partial red slip
(Fig. 8) Phase 1
Fabric P2. Light surface MNI = 2
Phases 1–2
Group 36: Lids associated with the cooking pots of
MNI = 7
Group 35 (Fig. 9)
Group 18: Plates, could be used as lid or platter (Fig. 8) Fabric P1. Light surface, rarely partial red slip, base
Fabric P1: Dull red slip or no slip cut with string, traces of fire regularly on external rim
Phases 1–2 Phases 1–2
MNI = 23 MNI = 13
Group 19: Spouted bowls (Fig. 4, 8) Group 39: Nubian domestic pottery belonging to the
Group 19a Kerma tradition (Fig. 10)
Fabric P1 or P2. Red colour on rims enhanced Group 39c: Cooking pots with gripped bases and
Phases 1–2 bowls decorated with incisions
MNI = 1069 Fabric P7a. External surface light brown
Group 19b Phases 1–2
Fabric P2. Red slip MNI = 2
Phases 1–2 Group 40: Cooking pots (Fig. 10)
MNI = 5 Fabric P2. Red slip covering very well smoothed,
Group 20: Ewers (Fig. 9) traces of fire
Group 20a Phase 1
Fabric P2. Partial red slip, on rims enhanced MNI = 1
Phases 1–2 Group 41: Bottles (Fig. 10)
MNI = 82 Group 41a
Group 20b Fabric P2. Red slipped, entire surface black due to
Fabric P2. Partial red slip, on rims enhanced smoke residue
Phases 1–2 Phase 1
MNI = 3 MNI = 1
Group 28: Hand-made incense holders (Fig. 9) Group 41b
Group 28b: Bowls with pinched lips Fabric P1. Brilliant red slip possible
Fabric P1. Partial dull red slip, hand-made Phase 1
Phases 1–2 MNI = 1
MNI = 3 Group 42: Jars with rims with rolled or folded lips:
Group 28c: Bowl with flat base? cooking pots, storage pots and pots for transporta-
Fabric P1. Decorated with spots or partial red slipped, tion (Fig. 11)
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) 415

Group 42a–d: Jars with rims with rolled or folded lips, Group 52: Jar stoppers (see Group 42) (Fig. 6, 12)
sometimes marked Group 52a: Conical jar stoppers
Fabric P1. Partial red slip applied in spots and drippy Fabric mud.
streaks Phases 1–2
Phases 1–2 MNI = 43
MNI = 341
Group 52b: Flat jar stoppers
Group 42g: Big sized jars with spouts for pouring Fabric mud.
Fabric P1. Phases 1–2
Phases 1–2 MNI = 4
MNI = 1
Group 53: Thrown jar stoppers, fired (Fig. 13)
Group 45: Small sized jars without ovoid neck, Fabric P1. Partial red slip applied drippy streaks
imports of the Nile Valley Phases 1–2
Fabric Nile B2. Surface not slipped „chamois“, care- MNI = 9
fully scraped
Group 58: Canaanite jars imported from Syria-Pales-
Phase 1
tine (Fig. 13)
MNI = 1
Fabric P8
Group 49: Jars with pinched lips with or without dec- Phase 1
oration painted in red MNI = 1
Group 49a
Fabric P1.
Phases 1–2
MNI = 36
416 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla Sylvie Marchand

2232-14 2378-1 2079-4

Group 1a Group 1a, modul C Group 1a, incised marks

Group 1a: double bread-moulds

2056-30
0 10
Group 1a, modul B

Group 1b: simple bread-moulds

2310-1 2157-2 2152-15

Group 1b Group 1b, modul B Group 1b, marks

1898-16 2089-4

Group 2 Group 3b

0 10

Fig. 2
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) 417

2332-1
2332-2

2095,1
2112-3

Group 4a

2246-2

Group 4b

2107-1
0 10

Fig. 3
418 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla Sylvie Marchand

G25(6)-1

Group 6

0 10

bowl = Group 19a

Group 8a, incised mark

G25(52)-1

0 20

Fig. 4
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) 419

2349-1

Group 8a

2349-2 B2958=7950

Group 9a

0 20

Fig. 5
420 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla Sylvie Marchand

2202,1 B2954=7946

Group 8a

Conical stopper

Group 52a

0 20

Fig. 6
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) 421

2349-2 B2958=7950 1118-19 2310-3

Group 9a (red decoration) Group 9a (red decoration) Group 9a

Group 9 H25(5)-800
Group 9d

0 10

Group 10a

2154,1 B2902=7841 2259-1 2303-1 2408,1

Index 186 Index 188 Index 187 Index 154

Group 10b1

G25 (24)-2 2332-6 2223,1

Index 149 Index 175 Index 158

Group 10b2

2152-8 2291-1
Index 166 Index 175

Group 10b3

H25(74)-1 1909 B2842=7694

Index 160 Index 160
0 10

Fig. 7
422 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla Sylvie Marchand

2293-2 710-227
Group 12a Group 12a Group 12c

2250-2 1541-190 1118-26

Group 12d Group 12d Group 12e

0 10

1347-110
2293-9

Group 18 0 10

2394-1 G25(7)-1 1909 B2842=7696

Group 19a Group 19a Group 19a

2114,1 2092-2 2194,2 B2903=7845

Group 19b Group 19b Group 19b

0 10
Fig. 8
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) 423

2060-011 2194,1 B2903=7844 2238,1

Group 20a Group 20a Group 20a

1909 B2842=7700 1909 B2842=7695

Group 20b Group 20b

0 10

0 10

1896-3 G25(25)-1
Group 28b Group 28c

2080-2 H25(39)-170
G20(3)-164
Group 35a Group 35a
Group 35a
Bands of smoke residue

2049-3 2136-2 2130,1 B2902=7840

Group 35b Group 36 Group 36
0 10
Fig. 9
424 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla Sylvie Marchand

1118-218 G20(7)-1
Group 39c Group 39c

0 10

2379-4 B2956=7948
Group 40 0 10

2379-4 B2956=7948 2378-2 B2957=7949

Group 41a Group 41b
0 10

Fig. 10
 Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) 425

H25(60)-453 H25(60)-461
Group 42a Group 42a

2158,3 B2905=7848
Group 42b

2092-10
Group 42c

2057-5
Group 42d
2074-1
Group 42d

2152-3
Group 42d

2077-1
Group 42g
0 10

Fig. 11
426 6. Oases: Oasis of Dakhla Sylvie Marchand

2377-1
Group 45
Nile B2
0 10

2232-6 2293-6
Group 49a Group 49a

0 10 cm

G25(7)-179
Group 52a

G25(24)-3 G25(29)-177
Group 52a Group 52a

2167,1 2379-22
Group 52b Group 52b

0 10
Fig. 12
Pottery Finds from Settlements at Ain Asil (Oasis of Dakhla) 427

2060-06 2332-4
Group 53 Group 53

0 10

G25(53)-1
Group 58, incised mark

0 10

Fig. 13
 Plate V Oasis Fabrics 471

a) Oasis Fabric 1 (Photo: M. Wuttmann, IFAO Cairo) b) Oasis Fabric 2 (Photo: M. Wuttmann, IFAO Cairo)

c) Oasis Fabric 3 (Photo: M. Wuttmann, IFAO Cairo) d) Oasis Fabric 4 (Photo: M. Wuttmann, IFAO Cairo)

e) Oasis Fabric 7a (Photo: M. Wuttmann, IFAO Cairo) f) Oasis Fabric 7b (Photo: M. Wuttmann, IFAO Cairo)

g) Oasis Fabric 8 (Photo: M. Wuttmann, IFAO Cairo) h) Bread Mould (Photo: M. Wuttmann, IFAO Cairo)