The pots and potters of Assyria : technology and organization of
production, ceramics sequence and vessel function at Late Bronze Age
Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria
Duistermaat, K.
Citation
Duistermaat, K. (2007, March 21). The pots and potters of Assyria : technology and
organization of production, ceramics sequence and vessel function at Late Bronze Age Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/1887/11416
Version: Corrected Publisher’s Version
License: Licence agreement concerning inclusion of doctoral thesis in the Institutional Repository of the University of Leiden
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Note: To cite this publication please use the final published version (if applicable).
Fig. VI.1: a bronze carinated bowl (M97-50).
K9 70-195: P93-199 burnished gypsum inlay
K9 70-252: P93-276 K9 72-197: P93-198 K9 70-264: P93-294
K9 70-213: P93-278
K9 70-251: P93-309 K9 70-278: P93-285 K9 70-254: P93-283 K9 70-255: P93-282 K9 70-222: P93-284
Fig. VI.3: a storage room in square H8, and some examples of pottery shapes found there.
Line drawings scale 1:10.
H8 13-142: P97-264
H8 13-121: P97-273 H8 13-96: P97-279
H8 13-78: P97-301 H8 13-116: P97-281
H8 13-93: P97-313 scale 1:10
H8 13-179: P97-261 scale 1:10
H8 13-61: P97-283 scale 1:10
H8 13-132: P97-278 burnished H8 13-133: P97-282
H8 13-175: P97-284 hole in the side
scale 1:10
Fig. VI.4: installation in square K13 made of a large jar base and a mud platform.
Fig. VI.5: remains of contents. Left: gypsum paste in carinated bowls from the pottery workshop in square M11 (Level 5 East), right: bitumen in a bowl and a small jar base (P96-465 and P96-510, both Level 5).
Line drawings scale 1:4.
H10 22-129: P96-465
inside completely covered in bitumen outside rim covered in bitumen drippings
gypsum repair
H10 22-124: P96-510
Fig. VI.7: an example of a cremation burial using jars to contain the ashes.
Fig. VI.8: an example of a child burial inside a large jar.
Fig. VI.9: two large jars in pot stands. The pot stands provide stability when the jars stand alone.
Fig. VI.10: a rare example of burnished and decorated pottery.
K8 102-270: P97-221
Fig. VI.11: special features related to vessel function: bowl P97-221 with base hole and internal strainer.
L12 20-36: P93-315
Fig. VI.12: special features related to vessel function: some vessels with holes in the base. Small carinated bowl P93-315, and large pot P93-178 together with its stand (P93-177). Line drawing at scale 1:4.
Fig. VI.13: special features related to vessel function: a selection of vessels with handles, suitable for hold- ing and pouring liquids (P97-157, P97-123, P97-195, P93-294).
Fig. VI.14: special features related to vessel function: more vessels with handles and spouts (P97-182, bowls P93-295, P93-203, P93-197, goblet with spout P03-199).
Fig. VI.15: vessel shape related to vessel function: stackability. This stack of carinated bowls shows that the carination does not facilitate the stacking of these bowls.
L8 34-110: P97-291 TOP 1026-28: P92-21a+b
Fig. VI.16: special shapes. Lamp P92-21, small bowls with burning traces at the rim, perhaps used as a lamp (P97-63 and P96-225), and incense burner (stand) P97-291. Line drawings scale 1:4.
L8 40-127: P97-63 burning traces
H9 14-42: P96-225 burning traces
Fig. VI.17: Functional groups of pottery at Tell Sabi Abyad, indicating the mean capacity in litres. All drawings at scale 1:10.
1. Cooking
K9 72-167: P93-308
I11 27-61:6
K9 48-113:7
M13 2-25:7 burnished
I7 14-49: P98-169
2. Serving, eating and drinking
dry liquid
L8 40-128: P97-151
H10 22-87: P96-577
K8 147-335: P98-111
H9 40-83: P96-442
H9 24-49: P96-358
K9 70-195: P93-199 burnished gypsum inlay
K13 4-37: P93-193
L11 71-153: P93-408 H9 18-46: P96-253
M9 34-202: P97-191
M12 30-47: P96-195 L11 71-153: P93-409 H10 34-75: P96-477
M9 34-131: P97-195 burnished K12 32-64 : P93-447
M9 34-229: P97-193 gypsum and bitumen repairs of cracks and damages
ca. 8 - 44 l.
0.09 l.
0.31 l.
1.05 l.
2.45 l.
ca. 1 l.
ca. 4 l.
ca. 9 l.
0.36 l. 1.26 l.
0.24 l. 0.31 l.
6.4 l.
3. Processing
H10 22-87: P96-577
K8 147-335: P98-111
H9 40-83: P96-442
H9 24-49: P96-358
K12 32-64 : P93-447
K8 102-242: P97-234
K12 32-61: P93-446 gypsum plug with two holes in spout,
traces of handle at the side
gypsum gypsum
K9 70-214: P93-203 burnished
K8 102-270: P97-221
L8 40-114: P97-184 scale 1:10
K13 21-69: P96-118
rim broken in antiquitiy
M13 3-33:1
Fig. VI.17 (cont.): Functional groups of pottery at Tell Sabi Abyad, indicating the mean capacity in litres. All drawings at scale 1:10.
0.31 l.
1.05 l.
ca. 1 l.
ca. 4 l.
ca. 9 l.
small: 2.84 l.
large: 12.5 l.
ca. 3.8 - 10.5 l.
18.91 l. 8.86 l.
ca. 97 - 212 l. ca. 11 - 65 l.
4. Storage: short-term dry storage
4. Storage: short and long-term storage (dry or liquid)
K12 32-64: P93-445 K8 102-242: P97-234
H8 13-116: P97-281
L8 40-114: P97-182
H11 25-38: P96-532
H10 21-117: P96-570 L11 71-153: P93-408 M9 34-217: P97-166
M9 34-193: P97-160
K9 70-232: P93-296
K9 72-197: P93-198 H10 22-87: P96-577
K8 147-335: P98-111
H9 40-83: P96-442
H9 24-49: P96-358
K12 32-64 : P93-447
0.31 l.
1.05 l.
ca. 1 l.
ca. 4 l.
ca. 9 l.
Fig. VI.17 (cont.): Functional groups of pottery at Tell Sabi Abyad, indicating the mean capacity in litres. All drawings at scale 1:10.
2.84 l. 12.5 l. 0.36 l. 1.26 l. 6.6 l.
7.16 l. 29.53 l.
22.79 l.
8.9 l.
5.14 l.
5. Long-term storage in bulk
L8 40-125: P97-158 scale 1:10
H8 13-103:1 scale 1:10
H8 13-147: P97-285
scale 1:10 H8 30-232:6
inside smeared with bitumen scale 1:10
Fig. VI.17 (cont.): Functional groups of pottery at Tell Sabi Abyad, indicating the mean capacity in litres. All drawings at scale 1:10.
ca. 151 l. (97 - 212 l.)
closed shapes: ca. 200 l. (106 - 293 l.)
6. Transport
Short distance Long distance
K8 102-242: P97-234 K12 32-64: P93-445
L8 40-125: P97-157
K8 102-235: P97-295
9. Lamps
M11 13-168: P96-406 burning traces
8. Strainers
10. Lids and covers
L12 20-36: P93-315
L8 40-128: P97-151 H10 22-87: P96-577
L11 54-120: P93-32 K9 70-163: P93-179
J11 30-131: O96-45 J12 20-53: P99-55
K8 169-388: O99-39 lid TOP 1026-28: P92-21a+b
7. Pot and jar stands
M9 25-138: P97-45 K8 37-73: P93-177
Fig. VI.17 (cont.): Functional groups of pottery at Tell Sabi Abyad, indicating the mean capacity in litres. All drawings at scale 1:10.
2.84 l.
12.5 l.
25.88 l.
7.29 l.
12. Measuring vessels?
M11 33-163:P96-413 gypsum layer inside
0.24 liter (ca. 1/3 qu) 0.30 liter (ca. 1/3 qu) 0.27 liter (ca. 1/3 qu)
Total capacity 1.01 liter (measured up to the rim)
K9 72-197: P93-198
0.97 liter (ca. 1 qu) 0.41 liter (ca. 1/2 qu) 0.45 liter (ca. 1/2 qu)
Total capacity 1.83 liter (measured up to the rim)
L12 29-129: P93-188
0.43 liter (ca. 1/2 qu) 0.49 liter (ca. 1/2 qu) 0.79 liter (ca. 1 qu)
H11 30-51:7
0.41 liter (ca. 1/2 qu) 0.43 liter (ca. 1/2 qu)
L8 35-132:1
0.86 liter (ca. 1 qu) estimated 0.60 liter (ca. 3/4 qu 0.39 liter (ca. 1/2 qu)
top 1016-18: P92-10
0.42 liter (ca. 1/2 qu) estimated 0.38 liter (ca. 1/2 qu)
0.39 liter (ca. 1/2 qu)
11. Burial, ritual
L8 40-128: P97-151
H10 22-87: P96-577
I10 18-30: P93-134 I + II inside of vessel wall damaged
H10 40-98: P96-460 hole in wall repaired with gypsum
scraping traces near base L8 34-110: P97-291
J10 21-36: P96-87
cremation burial child burial Fig. VI.17 (cont.): Functional groups of pottery at Tell Sabi Abyad,
indicating the capacity in litres. All drawings at scale 1:10.
Fig. VI.18: Middle Assyrian vessel names from texts, and possible identification of vessel shapes All drawings at scale 1:10
nazzītu
a large vat with a hole in the base
K8 102-270: P97-221
L8 40-114: P97-184 scale 1:10
K13 21-69: P96-118
rim broken in antiquitiy
ildu
kaldu
both are legs or stands for kallu-vessels
kannu
a wooden rack or metal stand for pots, usually not from pottery
K8 37-73: P93-177
diqāru
rounded base, cauldron used for heating and brewing capacity of at least 2 sūtu?
K9 72-167: P93-308
I11 27-61:6
K9 48-113:7
43.56 l. = ca. 5 sūtu
18.91 l.
64.47 l. 102.29 l.
est. 8.27 l. = ca. 10 qû
saḫḫarru
a small bowl, smaller than a kallu?
Fig. VI.18 (cont.): Middle Assyrian vessel names from texts, and possible identification of vessel shapes All drawings at scale 1:10
kallu
a very common bowl in the shape of a tortoise shell, a small and a large variant exist.
L8 40-128: P97-151
H10 22-87: P96-577
K8 147-335: P98-111
H9 40-83: P96-442
H9 24-49: P96-358 K9 70-195: P93-199 burnished gypsum inlay
K12 32-64 : P93-447
L11 71-153: P93-408
M9 34-131: P97-195 burnished
kāsu
a very small cup or drinking vessel, not very common in MA period, capacity ca. 1/10 qûmākaltu
a shallow plate, usually from wood, capacity ca. 1 qû ?
0.09 l. = ca. 1/10 qû 0.31 l. = ca. 1/3 qû
1.05 l. = ca. 1 qû
2.45 l. = ca. 3 qû
mean capacity ca. 1 l. = ca. 1 qû
mean capacity ca. 4 l. = ca. 4.5 qû
mean capacity ca. 9 l. = ca. 1 sūtu
K8 57-128: P93-242
1.60 l. = ca. 2 qû
L8 40-128: P97-151
0.09 l. = ca. 1/10 qû
kāsu
a very small cup or drinking vessel, not very common in MA period, capacity ca. 1/10 qûpursītu
(cultic and drinking bowl)maqqû
(libation bowl/goblet)H10 22-87: P96-577
0.31 l. = ca. 1/3 qû
kukkubu
libation jar or drinking flask, capacity ca. 5 qû ?
laḫannu
bottle for beer and other liquids, capacity ca. 1 qû ?
tarīḫu
(a serving vessel?)M12 30-47: P96-195
0.24 l. L11 71-153: P93-4090.31 l.
0.36 l.
H9 18-46: P96-253
1.26 l. = ca. 1.5 qû
= ca. 1/3 qû
H10 21-117: P96-570
6.6 l. = ca. 8 qû
ḫuruppu
(dish for a banquet, normally made of metal)makkusu
(a bowl)malītu
(a bowl, ca. 1 qû?)maqqû
(libation bowl/goblet)pursītu
(cultic and drinking bowl)qulli’u
(bowl for food)Fig. VI.18 (cont.): Middle Assyrian vessel names from texts, and possible identification of vessel shapes All drawings at scale 1:10
agannu
a large bowl or basin, sometimes with a stand. Capacity perhaps 2.5 sūtu?
ḫersu
a deep bowl, used in perfume preparation for decanting. Capacity at least 2 sūtu?
kallu
a very common bowl in the shape of a tortoise shell, a small and a large variant exist.
qulli’u
(bowl for food)kirru
a large (storage) vessel for dry and liquid materials.
kūtu
a container for the storage and serving of liquids, sometimes with a spout.
marsattu
a large soaking or mixing vat, also used for storage.
sūtu
a container or measuring vessel with a standard capacity.mean capacity ca. 151 l. (97 - 212 l.) = ca. 18 (11-25) sūtu
L8 40-114: P97-182
22.79 l. = ca. 2.5 sūtu
K12 32-64 : P93-447
mean capacity ca. 9 l. = ca. 1 sūtu
K9 70-214: P93-203 burnished
ca. 3.8 - 10.5 l. = ca. 0.5 - 1.25 sūtu
H11 25-38: P96-532
8.9 l. = ca. 1 sūtu
K8 102-242: P97-234
12.5 l. = ca. 1.5 sūtu
H8 13-78: P97-301
42.61 l. = ca. 5 sūtu
Fig. VI.18 (cont.): Middle Assyrian vessel names from texts, and possible identification of vessel shapes All drawings at scale 1:10
kirru
a large (storage) vessel for dry and liquid materials.
kukkubu
libation jar or drinking flask, capacity ca. 5 qû ?
laḫannu
bottle for beer and other liquids, capacity ca. 1 qû ?
kūtu
a container for the storage and serving of liquids, sometimes with a spout.
šapputu
a storage jar for liquids, sometimes with a stand. Capacity be- tween 2 qû and 42 qû ?
tallu
An oil vessel, possible capacity 8 qû?
M9 34-217: P97-166
1.26 l. = ca. 1.5 qû
M9 34-193: P97-160
7.16 l. = ca. 8.5 qû
H10 21-117: P96-570
6.6 l. = ca. 8 qû
K9 70-232: P93-296
mean capacity 29.53 l. (ca. 19 - 50 l.)
= ca. 35 qû (22.5 - 60 qû)
L8 40-125: P97-157
25.88 l. = ca. 31 qû
K8 102-235: P97-295
7.29 l. = ca. 9 qû
M9 34-202: P97-191
6.4 l. = ca. 7.5 qû
H8 13-147: P97-285 scale 1:10
L8 34-110: P97-291
mašḫulu (
a strainer)K9 70-163: P93-179
J12 20-53: P99-55
Fig. VI.18 (cont.): Middle Assyrian vessel names from texts, and possible identification of vessel shapes All drawings at scale 1:10
kirru
a large (storage) vessel for dry and liquid materials.
ḫari’u
a large (closed?) storage vessel, sometimes with a stand
H8 13-103:1 scale 1:10 capacity ca. 200 l. (106 - 293 l.) = ca. 2.5 imēru (1.25 - 3.5 imēru)
nignakku, šēḫtu (
censer, censter-stand). Usually of metalḫupā’u
(“broken” vessel of 1/2 qû)mišlu
(a half-size container)top 1016-18: P92-10
0.42 liter (ca. 1/2 qu) estimated 0.38 liter (ca. 1/2 qu)
0.39 liter (ca. 1/2 qu)
Fig. VI.19: Collon 1987: no. 295, p. 69.
BM 89417, grey chalcedony cylinder seal, 3.1 x 1.5 cm (broken).
The subject matter, style and material reflect Middle Assyrian influence.
Fig. VI.20: Collon 1987: no. 811. See Porada 1978 for a detailed discussion.
Tyre, Lebanon. Middle Assyrian. Brown stone, 3.3 cm.
A female worshipper (princess? priestess?) brings a libation to a seated god (Ninurta?).
Fig. VI.21: Kist 2003: no. 279. Tan stone, 2.8 x 1.3 cm. Middle Assyrian.
A robed worshipper stands, facing left, before an incense burner, a laden offering table, with a star above it, and a large jar on a stand.
Fig. VI.22: Moortgat 1942: no. 74. VA 5362. Assur.
Priest in front of an incense burner, a table laden with food and a ziggurat.
Fig. VI.23: Mayer-Opificius 1986: ill. 5. British Museum. Dated to Tukulti-Ninurta I.
Priest before god. Incense burner and a small jar (or pomegranate?) and a table (?) are between them.
Fig. VI.24: a: Moortgat 1944: no. 36; b: Feller 2005: no. 20. VAT 9673. Assur. Seal of Aššur-šuma-iddina.
A person offers a bowl to Ishtar standing on the lion. Between them is a table with a small jar on top, and a deep bowl on a foot or stand.
Fig. VI.25: Fischer 1999: no. 1. VAT 18017. Assur. Seal of Uṣur-namkūr-šarri, a eunuch and governor of Kar- Tukulti-Ninurta. Libation scene in front of a seated king or god? In the middle is a table laden with objects.
Fig. VI.26: Orthmann 1975: no. 255a. Assur, Middle Assyrian.
Fragment of a marble circular lid for a pyxis. In the lower left corner, the seated king is raising a bowl in his hand. Perhaps a ritual scene.
Fig. VI.27: Moortgat 1942: no. 73. VAT 8939. Assur. 13th century BC.
Two worshippers bring food and drink to a seated god (?).
Fig. VI.28: Collon 1987: no. 296, p. 69. Adana; reddish stone, 2.5 x 1.0 cm. The subject matter, style and material reflect Middle Assyrian influence. Two seated persons engaged in some ceremony.
Fig. VI.29: Tell Sabi Abyad. Composite drawing of seal impressions on sealings O97-219, 263, 268.
A seated figure raises a cup to his mouth, a person stands before him.
Fig. VI.30: Pritchard 1954: no. 624. BM 118807. Nineveh, White Obelisk, detail.
The king brings offerings to the temple.
Fig. VI.31: Börker-Klähn 1982: abb. 4. BM 118807. Nineveh, White Obelisk. Found to the NE of the Palace of Sanherib, out of context. Dated to the 11th century BC? The friezes describe military campaigns against Kashiari and Danuna. These are four details showing vessels.
Fig. VI.32: Börker-Klähn 1982: ill. 132 a-d. BM 118807. Nineveh, White Obelisk.
Fig. VI.33: Barnett 1975: no. 165. BM no. 124919, 1.69 x 0.65 m. Nineveh, Palace of Ashurbanipal.
The sacking and destruction of the Elamite city of Hamanu. Assyrians carry off metal furniture and other booty.
Fig. VI.34: Barnett 1975: no. 167.
Room S. BM no. 124794, 0.55 x 0.67 m. Nineveh, Palace of Ashurbanipal.
Amid the Assyrian officials wav- ing their fly-whisks, Elamite princes bring in the king’s food, while Baby- lonian princes prostrate themselves to beg for their lives.
Fig. VI.35: Barnett 1975: no. 172.
BM no. 124922, 1.68 x 0.51 m. Nin- eveh, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Room S. The male orchestra with vertical and asymmetric harps plays in the garden enclosure before two youth- ful officials.
Fig. VI.36: Pritchard 1954: no. 168. Louvre. Nineveh, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Neo-Assyrian.
Two men (Elamite prisoners?) sit under a loaded wagon and eat their meal from a common dish.
Fig. VI.37: Frankfort 1956: pl. 107, p. 96. BM no. 124919. Nineveh, Palace of Ashurbanipal.
The sacking and destruction of the Elamite city of Hamanu. Elamites eating in the prisoners’ camp.
Fig. VI.38: Pritchard 1954: no. 170. VA 965, Berlin. Nineveh, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Neo-Assyrian.
A tent in an Assyrian military camp. A meal and a bed are prepared for a returning officer.
Fig. VI.39: Pritchard 1954: no. 171. IM 31065 Baghdad. Neo-Assyrian.
Cross section of a tent, two men busy preparing food.
Fig. VI.40: Curtis 2001: fig. 14. Neo-Assyrian, from the Palace of Ashurnasirpal, Niniveh.
Gypsum relief of an Assyrian fortified camp. Small jars are set in a rack or on a table.
Fig. VI.41: Stronach 1996: fig. 12.2a. Nimrud, incised ivory strip, Neo-Assyrian.
Nobles at a banquet. Small jars are shown hanging in a rack and attended by a servant with a fly whisk.
Fig. VI.42: Collon 1987: no. 338, p. 75. BM 89465, serpentine, 3.2 x 1.2 cm. Nimrud, Neo-Assyrian.
Banquet scene, seated king with a cup in his hands, before a jar in a stand and a servant with a fan.
Fig. VI.43: Ravn 1960: no. 144. Unknown provenance, dated to the 1st millenium BC.
Person in front of a seated god. Between them is a large jar on a stand.
vessels in Neo-Assyrian art vessels in Middle Assyrian art
scale person
Fig. VI.44: line tracings from vessels depicted in iconography, all on the same scale relative to the height of a person.
