Levant

The Journal of the Council for British Research in the Levant

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Notes on Brittle Wares in North-eastern Syria

Karin Bartl, Gerwulf Schneider & Sabine Bhme

To cite this article: Karin Bartl, Gerwulf Schneider & Sabine Bhme (1995) Notes on Brittle
Wares in North-eastern Syria, Levant, 27:1, 165-177, DOI: 10.1179/lev.1995.27.1.165

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 LEVANT XXVII 1995

Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria

Karin Bartl*, Gerwulf Schneidert, Sabine Bohme*

* Seminar fur Vorderasiatisehe Altertumskunde, Freie Universitat Berlin, Bitterstr. 8-12, D-14195 Berlin.
t Institut fur Anorganisehe und Analytisehe Chemie, Arbeitsgruppe Arehaometrie, Freie Universitat
Berlin, Fabeekstr. 34-36, D-14195 Berlin.

The term 'brittle wares' defines a large group of red or red/black pottery wares from the Hellenistic to
early Islamic periods in Syria and Palestine. To answer the question of local or non-local production,
Downloaded by [Universite Laval] at 19:32 11 May 2016

and for a clearer definition, 54 samples from various sites in the Euphrates, Balikh and I<'habur
valleys in northern Syria have been analysed by X-ray fluorescence and thin section microscopy.
A common feature of this pottery is the use of non-calcareous clays and high amounts of mineral
temper, both being appropriate for a function as cooking pots. Five compositional groups indicate
various production centers. The group which seems to be the most abundant in this region includes
sherds from the Roman to the early Abbasid periods thus indicating a long tradition in one place.
This can not only be seen in the use of the same material but also in the very few alterations of types.
The compositions of all analysed 'brittle wares' differ significantly from other pottery or clays studied
from the same region. The geological characteristics of the rock fragments used as temper as well as
the geographical distribution of this pottery, as far as known, points to provenances in western Syria
or Palestine.

Introduction

The term 'brittle ware' denotes a ceramic group in

Syro-Palestine (Fig. 1) which is markedly different
from other common wares of the Hellenistic to early
Islamic periods in that its surface is dark, ranging from
red and red-brown to anthracite. Within the spectrum
of 'brittle ware' pottery shapes, mainly represented by
round-bodied pots with vertical handles, and
casseroles with horizontal handles, a continuous
tradition can be traced reaching all the way down to
the U mayyad period. 1 Even in the early parts of the
Abbasid period 'brittle ware' remains common, al-
though by then the variety of shapes is reduced in
comparison to the preceeding periods. Both the dis-
Figure 1. Distribution of 'brittle wares '.
tinct nature and the wide geographical distribution of
'brittle ware' has repeatedly led to hypotheses about
the organization of its production: was it produced 1. investigations at the regional level, i.e. in differ-
locally or must we assume the existence of only a few ent areas of one region
different production centers on a regional or even 2. investigations on a larger scale, i.e. different
interregional level? regions outside the first region
To answer these questions is the main scope of the For the first part ceramic material deriving from
following investigations. The whole project is planned surveys and excavations in northern Syria was used.
to consist of two parts: During our work on different pottery collections of

165
 166 LEVANT XXVII 1995
the late antique and early Islamic periods in northern
Syria we were often dealing with questions on the
origin of pottery wares and shapes. The availability of
north Syrian ceramics in Germany2 led to investiga-
tions of this material, although most of the samples
are unstratified survey sherds.
As a second stage of the project, stratified samples
from Jordan (Umm Qais), northern Iraq (Ain Sinu)
and Cyprus (Dhiorios). will be analysed. Concerning
the connection between period of use, clay sources
and pottery production these samples will probably
give more information. The following investigations
are based on 54 pottery samples from different
archaeological sites in northern Syria, i.e. from the
river valleys of the Euphrates, the Balikh and the
I<habur.3
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Definition of the ware
The term 'brittle ware' was introduced into the
archaeological literature in the final reports of the
Dura Europos excavations, to describe a large, com-
mon, late Roman ceramic corpus. The term refers to
the ceramic texture of the pottery which results from
the firing process. This wheelmade pottery is de-
scribed as 'of hard baked, brick-red clay from almost
metallic quality which is thin and easily broken'
(Dyson 1968, 58 ff.). Since then, the term has often
been used for late Roman, early Byzantine and early
Abbasid ceramics from sites located in northern Syria
and northern Iraq. In regions further south in Jordan
and Palestine, late Roman/early Byzantine and Umay-
yad sites have produced similar pottery, often pro-
vided with different labels such as 'cooking pot ware'
(Lapp 1961; Hennessy 1970), 'coarse ware' (McNi-
colI et al. 1982) and in fewer instances 'brick ware'
(Brosh 1986).
In particular, in Jordan and Palestine where levels
of the Roman to Umayyad period have been investi-
gated on a larger scale, the term 'cooking pot ware' is
mostly used for what is called 'brittle ware' in north-
ern Syria. Therefore, both terms are used alternatively
in the following sections.
The descriptions of pottery from Pella (McNicoll
et al. 1982), however, have demonstrated that such
denotations remain too general, in that a broad variety
of hard-baked, gritty wares is summarized under this
term. But since virtually all publications fail to present
more detailed ware definitions, a precise terminology
is lacking. The quoted denominations all imply the
following common features: rich mineral temper re-
sulting in rough surfaces which show red-brown to
brick-red colour, often turned to black or scorched by
secondary firing.
Production and function of the 'brittle wares'
J. IZalsbeek and H.J. Franken (1975) presented a
detailed study concerned with the production tech-
niques of early and middle Islamic pottery from the
eighth to fifteenth centuries which also included 'red
cooking pots' from the ceramic assemblage at Abu
Gourdan, Jordan. A ware described as red-firing pot-
tery had white, pink, red as well as blueish-black
coloured ceramic surfaces (ibid. 29). The authors
assumed a differing origin for the clays used in this
pottery than for those used in a contemporary ware
they called 'white firing pottery' (Franken and IZals-
beek 1975, 67).
As to the reconstruction of the firing methods
employed in the production of the so-called 'cooking
ware' during the Byzantine/Umayyad period, some
excavated pottery workshops and furnaces at sites in
Jordan and Cyprus have furnished evidence of kilns.
In Jordan our knowledge is largely based on the
evidence brought to light by the investigations carried
out in Jerash. Since most of the remains of this city
date to the late Roman/Byzantine and U mayyad
periods this suggests the presence of an important
ceramic industry in the city during that time. This
industry was most probably integrated into an inter-
regional trade network (Schaefer and Falkner 1986,
419 ff.). At Jerash, an interesting pottery kiln is lo-
cated within the ruins of the northern theatre and
close to installations used in the production of grey
pottery. From the huge amount of wasters it was
concluded that the kiln was used for the firing of
'cooking pots' (Schaefer 1986, fig. 1). Other furnaces
exclusively used for firing 'cooking wares' are known
from Dhiorios, Cyprus and date to the seventh and
eighth centuries A.D. (Catling 1972, 1 ff.).
The pottery shapes as well as the ceramic surfaces
provide valuable insights concerning the function of
'brittle wares'. Frequent occurrence of sherds with
scorched surfaces demonstrate that the ware was
predominantly used for cooking. In general, the rep-
ertoire of 'brittle ware' shapes is best described as
consisting of 'cooking-pots and pans'. However, it
seems also that amphora-shaped vessels belonged to
the repertoire, as is seen for example in Jerash where
they are made of red-orange clay with lime inclusions
(Schaeffer 1989, fig. 1I. 7).
Distribution
Red 'cooking pot wares' or 'brittle wares' are known
from many sites in Palestine, northern Mesopotamia
and south-eastern Anatolia dating to Hellenistic
and later periods (Fig. 1). A detailed typology of the

Hellenistic to the Roman/late Roman 'cooking pot
wares' is known from Samaria (Crowfoot et al. 1957)
and Tarsus Oones 1950). Jerash/Gerasa (Rasson
1989) and Pellarrabaqat Fahl (McNicoll et al. 1982),
on the other hand, illustrate the assemblage dating to
the early Byzantine to Umayyad periods. Moreover,
Pella has furnished additional evidence to differen-
tiate between several ware groups within the 'com-
mon red ware'. From the Hellenistic age to the
Umayyad period the prevailing type among the 'cook-
ing pots' are round-bellied, short-necked vessels with
handles vertically applied to the sides. Small bag-
shaped amphorae as well also occur, and as in the case
of ~cooking pots', they often have a horizontal ribbed
surface. Amphorae are best attested from sites in the
Levant and neighbouring regions (Crowfoot et al.
1957, fig. 71.1; Lankester Harding 1951, fig. 4:41;
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McNicoll et al. 1982, pI. 146:3). Since grapes and
olive trees are known to have been cultivated in this
region it seems reasonable to argue that the majority
of the amphorae were employed to contain related
products. Occasionally amphora-like vessels are de-
fined as water jars (McNicoll et at. 1982, pl.146:3).
Generally there is little typological differentiation
within the group of cooking pots and amphorae with
respect to regional and chronological aspects.
In northern Syria and northern Iraq the situation
is different. Because of a lack of interest in such 'late'
periods, there are only a few sites where 'brittle ware'
was found in stratified contexts. Here the most im-
portant sites are Dura Europos (Dyson 1968) and Ain
Sinu (Oates and Oates 1959), both dating to the
second/third century A.D. The transition from the
early Byzantine to the early Islamic period is attested
at Dibsi Faraj (Harper 1980). Here as well, typologi-
cal differences between 'brittle ware' shapes from
both periods are limited. It is only in the early years
of the Abbasid period that different shapes occur, thus
permitting a typological differentiation. Among them
are neckless pots with round bases, also known from
Samarra, which can be ascribed to the ninth century
A.D. (Sarre 1925; Northedge 1990).
Apparently, this shape seems exclusively restricted
to northern Iraq and northern and central Syria, as
exemplified by specimens from Qasr al-Hayr as-
Sharqi (Holod 1978) and Dehes (Orssaud 1980). The
few known settlement layers from the Abbasid period
in Jordan and Palestine have not yet produced any
comparable shapes.
Description of the samples
The sampled 'brittle ware' sherds are derived from
various surveys and excavations in northern Syria
BARTL et a1.Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria 167
(Fig. 2). They represent several regions like the
drainage basins of Euphrates, Balikh and I<habur and
several periods like the Roman-Parthian (first to mid-
second century A.D.), late Roman-early Byzantine
(mid-third to seventh century A.D.) and the early
Islamic/early Abbasid (end of eighth-beginning of
tenth century A.D.). Because of their small size several
sherds could not be classified and therefore were not
dated. Characteristic shapes are shown in Fig. 3. Due
to the kind of temper a fine and a coarse group of
samples can be distinguished.
a. Euphrates Valley (Region A)
Almost all sampled sherds come from the excavations
of Tell Shaikh Hasan, situated in the Tabqa reservoir
area. The site mainly yielded late Chalcolithic mate-
rial. However, the upper part of the tell was settled
from Hellenistic to Islamic times (Boese 1986,67 ff.).
Unfortunately, these layers were much disturbed.
Therefore the pottery cannot be dated by context but
only typologically. Based on typological comparisons,
the sampled ceramics seem to date to the late Roman-
early Byzantine period. The ruin of a Byzantine
church on the lower terrace of the tell (Roumi 1975)
points to a more limited timespan from the fourth to
fifth century A.D. One sherd is a surface find from Tell
Bica and roughly dates to the early Byzantine era.
b.Balikh Valley (Region B)
The sherds from the Balikh valley stem from the
excavations of Tell Hammam at-Turkman (van Loon
1988)4 and from several sites which were visited
during the Balikh valley survey in 1983 (Akkermans
1984). Among these sites Tell Shaikh Hasan/Balikh
(BS 142) is the most important one which was settled
from the Roman-Parthian period until the thirteenth
century A.D. (Lazaro 1989; Bartl 1994). The pottery
from Hammam at-Turkman dates in the timespan
from the first century A.D. to the third century A.D.
(Lazaro 1988).
c. I<'habur Valley (Region C)
The samples from the I<habur valley were part of the
ceramic assemblage which was collected during the
survey for the Tilbinger Atlas des "UJrderen Orients
(IZiihne 1977; IZiihne 1978-79), which investigated
archaeological sites in the I<habur valley from Hasaka
down to its confluence with the Euphrates. Sherds
analyzed come from settlements on the 'Middle
I<habur'. One sherd, a surface find, stems from Tell
Shaikh Hamad/Dur-katlimmu; another surface find
 168 LEVANT XXVII 1995

Hase J?35:::7f.,
- -,/ ',A.bda\~.
'rell Msiyyah.,
Tell Dgerat.
.:'~:In::,
Tell Ta ban
.i
I
I

G a ba \ Tell Mu'azzar Tell Mata iya i

Tell ~naqa-Nort T II Tlelat
,r
!
t.
-_\
\
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Tell 'Umm Aqrebe

I

Tell Sheikh Hamad

25
Bu qoliya.
-~
Figure 2. Locations of the sampled material.

is from Ras at-Tell, situated west of the I<habur in the
steppe.
d. WadiAgig (Region D)
Several sherds were collected at different sites in the
steppe east of the I<habur. In 1983, a survey, which
was part of the research program of the excavations
of Tell Shaikh HamadJDur-katlimmu was carried out
in the Wadi Agig (Pfalzner 1984). Numerous settle-
ments of prehistoric and historical periods were de-
tected in a region where nowadays no permanent
settlement exists (Bernbeck 1993). Dating of the
sampled material was possible only in one case, be-
cause most of the pottery fragments were too much
eroded.
Chemical and mineralogical investigations
Powdered samples of one gram each were analysed by
wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence for 22
major and trace elements (Table 2). Sulphur, chlorine
and some additional trace elements were checked
with minor precision and are not included in the table.
Analyses of duplicate samples from two sherds are
given (7271 alb and 7272 alb) to demonstrate the
order of analytical precision. The Brookhaven data
handling programs5 were used to calculate statistical
parameters, to plot scattergrams, and for multivariate
clustering procedures. From each chemical group
some samples were also selected for thin section
studies.
The chemical analyses showed a very clear separa-
tion into three homogeneous compositional groups,
being independant of the regions where the sherds
had been found. Only a few sherds did not match
these groups. Three of those may be somewhat abber-
ant compositions, but belonging to groups 1 and 3.
Two other samples certainly indicate that two more
groups 4 and 5 exist. The division into groups is
demonstrated by using the contents of chromium and
magnesium in a scattergram (Fig. 4). There are also
significant differences in the contents of other ele-
ments which can be seen from the means and stand-
ard deviations given in Table 2.
The chemical grouping is confirmed by the thin
section studies in a polarizing microscope. The pot-
tery of group 1 was made from a non-calcareous clay
 BARTL et al. Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria 169
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10

11
)
Figure 3. Shapes of sampled 'brittle wares'.
 170 LEVANT XXVII 1995

Chromium
(ppm Cr)
II -------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- I --------- 1I

745.2 --I

632.0 --1 group 3

518.8 --1

C B
C A A
A
C
group 1
group 5
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405.6 --I

292.4 --I
J group 4

C
179.2 --1 c C
DC CBCC
C
C
C~

group 2

66.0 --I 1
11- ---- - -- 1---- ---- - I --- -- -- -- 1--- - -- - - - I - -- - ----- I ------ --- I -- --- - - -- I -- --- - --- I -- --- --- - I - -- - - ---- I I
0.949 2.936 4.924 6.911 8.898

Magnesium (percent MgO)

Figure 4. Chromium and magnesium contents of the analyzed samples of 'brittle wares' from different regions in
north-east Syria (A =
Euphrates B Balikh C Jhabur D J =
Wadi Agig) showing the compositional groups.
J = J =

with a high amount of equally-sized fine-grained but of the same kind as in the samples of group 3. This
rounded to subrounded quartz (Fig. 5 and 6). The similarity can also be seen from the chemical com-
inclusions in the sherds of group 2 consist of medium positions (Table 2).
to coarse grained fragments of a volcanic rock, The two samples representing groups 4 and 5 differ
possibly from a trachytic tuff (Fig. 7). The varying from each other and from the three main groups. The
calcium contents in this group are due to minor coarse inclusions in group 4 are from a crushed
inclusions of microcalcite which has been part of the coarse-grained basaltic rock (Fig. 9), those in group
clay raw material. Group 3 is characterized by a high 5 are from an altered gabbro as is typical for ophiolitic
amount of very fine to fine grained inclusions of rocks from a greenstone belt (Fig. 10). The inclusions
various minerals and rock fragments such as quartz, in these two groups correspond to the geochemical
feldspars, micas, serpentine, volcanic rock, chert, characteristics like the high titanium content in the
limestone, marble and remains of fossils (Fig. 8). The basalt and the high magnesium content in the ophi-
inclusions in the samples 5992 and 7259 are coarser olitic rock.

Figure 5. Photomicrograph of an early example of 'brittle
ware' belonging to group 1. The temper consists of fine-grained
Downloaded by [Universite Laval] at 19:32 11 May 2016
quartz (white or grey areas, pores are dark grey). In the center
an exceptionally large grain of chert can be seen (sample 7262
from region A, polarizers nearly crossed).
Figure 6. Photomicrograph of a late example of 'brittle ware'
belonging to the same compositional group as Figure 5, but from
a different find place. The temper isfiner but of the same kind as
in Figure 5 including similar large grains of chert which here can
be seen near to the suiface of the sherd (sample 7270 from region
B, conditions as Figure 5).
Technological interpretation
A common feature of all investigated sherds of 'brittle
wares' is that non-calcareous clays had been used with
a high amount of fine-grained or coarse mineral in-
clusions serving as a tempering material. This mate-
rial has probably been added intentionally except for
group 3 where the inclusions certainly represent a
natural temper in the clay derived from weathered
rocks of various types mixed in the clay deposit. In
group 1 the well-sorted fine sandy quartz without a
silt fraction could have been prepared by a double
BARTL et al. Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria 171
Figure 7. Photomicrograph of a 'brittle ware' belonging to
group 2 showing the typical coarse temper from a trachytic tuff
(sample 7275, conditions as Figure 5).
Figure 8. Photomicrograph of a 'brittle ware' belonging to
group 3 showing very fine inclusions of various minerals and rock
fragments (sample 7265, conditions as Figure 5).
sieving, or may have been derived from a well-sorted
dune(?). The angular to subangular rock fragments in
groups 2,4 and 5 may have been intentionally crushed
and seem to be too homogeneous to be a natural part
of the clays.
I The use of clays low in calcium as well as the
addition of high amounts of mineral temper are
appropriate to make a pottery suitable for cooking
because these features can reduce cracking from ther-
mal shock (Rice 1987, 224-243). This is especially
true in the cases of added volcanic rock fragments
which are a well-known characteristic of cooking pots
from many periods and regions. Uneven exteriors like
the rippled surfaces of many 'brittle wares' and thin
 172 LEVANT XXVII 1995
Figure 9. Photomicrograph of the 'brittle ware' sample 7271
with a coarse temper of basaltic rock fragments (magnification
as Figure 5, plain polarized light).
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Figure 10. Photomicrograph of the 'brittle ware' sample 7261
with a coarse temper of altered gabbro (magnification as Figure
5, plain polarized light).
walls are further use-related properties of pottery for
cooking (Rice 1987).
The firing temperatures were relatively low as can
be seen from the thin sections. Remains of primary
calcite and the volcanic inclusions, without any in-
dication of melting limit the original firing tempera-
tures to below 850 or 900C. The appearances of the
sherds indicate firing in a kiln where, after periods of
reducing atmospheres, at least the last stage of firing
was oxidizing. This resulted in brick-red colours on
the exterior of the sherds caused by their high iron
and low calcium contents. This contrasts to the com-
mon yellowish pottery in the regions considered here,
which from Neolithic to Islamic periods was made
from the typical local calcareous clays or marls with
contents of more than 10-15 % CaO. Most of this
pottery was fired at higher temperatures than 'brittle
wares' and in general were much less suited for cook-
ing.
Interpretation of the compositional groups
The five compositional groups correspond to very
different raw materials and thus are unlikely to have
been used in the same workshops or places of produc-
tion. None of the compositions is similar to that of any
other pottery or clay sample from the sites where the
sherds had been found. This assumption is based on
analyses of about 60 geological samples and some 600
ancient sherds from various periods and from 50 sites
within the region between the Euphrates and the Iraqi
and Turkish borders. These samples include some of
the sites with analyzed 'brittle wares'. Except for a very
special pottery ware from the third millennium
(Schneider 1989) all clays and sherds from north-
eastern SYria in contrast to 'brittle wares' turned out
to be very high not only in calcium but also in
chromium contents.
The specific rock fragments in the sherds of groups
2-5 are indicative of the geological environment of the
production centers, and, except for the basaltic rock
in group 4, are not consistent with local production
at the sites where the sherds had been found. In this
way our analyses support the hypothesis of Dyson
(1968, 58 ff) that the 'brittle wares' from Dura
Europos originated from a region near the Mediter-
ranean coast. This has to be ascertained by a larger
series of analyses including samples from sites in
western Syria and Palestine, e.g. from Pella and
}erash.
Considering the difficulties of dating the 'brittle
wares' and without knowing the true places of pro-
duction, nevertheless some insights into the produc-
tion and distribution of red cooking pot wares can be
gained. The production center of group 1 seems to
have existed for many centuries since our series of
analyses includes sherds of all periods under con-
sideration within the same compositional group
(Table 1). Its products were found in the whole region
and seem to represent the major group. From our
analyses, the production center of group 2 existed
only in the later periods and, within the regions
included, were distributed mainly in the IZhabur val-
ley. Sherds of group 3, mainly dated to the late
Roman/early Byzantine periods, were distributed
more uniformly. Groups 4 and 5 may have had their
main distribution in another region or may represent
minor production centers which may have worked
only in the second or third centuries A.D. These
 BARTL et al. Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria 173

Table 1. Regional, historical and chemical-mineralogical classification of sampled 'brittle wares'.

Approx. Chern. Thin-
Sample Site Region date group Section Fig. Comparisons

7254 TSH4U5 A 3.-7.cent.A.D. 1

7255 TSH4U5 A 3.-7.cent.A.D. 1 *
7256 TSH 4Z103 A 3.-7.cent.A.D.? 1
7257 TSH 1A2 A 3.-7.cent.A.D. 3 Fig. 3.9
7258 TSH4U5 A 3.-7.cent.A.D.? 1
7259 TSH 4F10 A 3.-7.cent.A.D. 3? * Orssaud 1980, Dehes, Type 3a
7260 TSH4F3 A 3.-7.cent.A.D. 3 * Orssaud 1980, Dehes, Type 3b
7261 TSH4Z3 A 2.13.cent.A.D. 5 * Crowfoot 1957, Samaria, Fig. 71.7
7262 TSH 4F5 A 1.-2.cent.A.D. 1 * Fig. 3.1 Crowfoot 1957, Samaria, Fig. 69.9; 70.9
4455 Tell Bica A 3.-7.cent.A.D.? I?

5933 Hammam surface B uncertain date 1

5992 Hammam B 1.cent.B.c.- 3? * Lazaro 1988, PI. 170: 159
1.cent.A.D.
5993 Hammam B 1.-3.cent.A.D. 1 Lazaro 1988, PI. 170: 160
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5994 Hammam B uncertain date 1

5995 Hammam B 2.13.cent.A.D. 1 Lazaro 1988, PI. 170:161
5996 Hammam B 2.13.cent.A.D. 1 Lazaro 1988, PI. 170: 162
5997 Hammam B uncertain date 1 *
5998 Hammam B uncertain date 1
5999 Hammam B 2.13.cent.A.D. 1 *
7263 Shaikh Hasan! B 3.-7.cent.A.D.? 3 Fig. 3.8 Thalmann 1978, Tell CArqa, Fig. 6.7
BS 142-10
7264 BreilatiBS 163 B 3.-7.cent.A.D. 3
7265 as-Saddel BS 93 B 2.13. cent.A.D. 3 * Fig. 3.7 Oates 1959, Ain Sinu, Fig. 86
7266 at- TwaI/BS 194 B 3.-7.cent.A.D. 3
7267 Haramiel BS 168 B uncertain date 1
7268 SH/BS 142 B 2.13.cent.A.D. 1 Fig. 3.3 Oates 1959, Ain Sinu, Fig. 88
7269 SH/BS 142 B 3.-7.cent.A.D. 1 * Crowfoot 1957, Samaria, Fig. 72.14
7270 SH/BS 142 B 8.-10.cent.A.D. 1 * Bartl 1994, Madinat aI-Far, Tf.MF 8
7271 as-Sadde/BS 93 B 2.13.cent. 4 * Fig. 3.5 Harper 1980, Dibsi Faraj, no. 57
7272 SH/BS 142 B 8.-10.cent.A.D. 2 * Fig. 3.11 Bartl 1994, Madinat aI-Far, Tf. MF8
7273 SH/BS 142 B 8.-10.cent.A.D. 1 Fig. 3.10 -

4532 Shaikh Hamad C 2.13.cent.A.D. 3

surface
7274 Mucazzar/HS 53 C 8.-10.cent.A.D. 2 * Fig. 3.12 Bartl 1994, Madinat aI-Far, Tf. MF8
7275 Tacban/HS 37 C 8.-10.cent.A.D. 2 * Bartl 1994, Madinat aI-Far, Tf. MF8
7276 Hasaka/HS 115 C uncertain date 2
7277 Matariya/HS 64 C 3.-7.cent.A.D. 2 Fig. 3.2 Catling 1972, Dhiorios, Fig. 20.P.181
7278 Fallah/HS 83/84 C 3.-7.cent.A.D.? 2 Fig. 3.6 Orssaud 1980, Dehes, Type 2
7279 Tnenir/HS 38 C 3.-7.cent.A.D.? 2
7280 Masnaqa/HS 60 C 3.-7.cent.A.D. 3
7281 as-Sur/HS 70 C 8.-10.cent.A.D. 2
7282 Msiyyah/HS 98 C uncertain date 2
7283 DgeratlHS 107/108 C 3.-7.cent.A.D. 2 Fig. 3.4
2748 Ras et-Tell C uncertain date 1
7966 Dgerat/H 108 C 3.-7.cent.A.D. 2
7967 Masnaqa/HS 110 C 3.-7.cent.A.D. 3
7964 Tacban/HS 37 C 2.13.cent.A.D. 3
7968 Tnenir/HS 38 C 3.-7.cent.A.D. 1
7965 TlelatlHS 69 C 2.13.cent.A.D. 3
7962 Mucazzar/HS 53 C 8.-10.cent.A.D. 1
7963 Mucazzar/HS 53 C 8.-10.cent.A.D. 1

7284 Umm CAqrebe D 8.-10.cent.A.D. 1 Bartl 1994, Madinat aI-Far, Tf.MF 8

7285 Umm CAqrebe D uncertain date 1 *
7286 Burqoliya D uncertain date 2
7287 Burqoliya D uncertain date 1
7288 Burqoliya D uncertain date 1

Abbreviations: BS: Balikh Survey; HS: Khabur Survey; SH: Tell Shaikh Hamad; TSH: Tell Sheikh Hassan/Euphrates.
 174 LEVANT XXVII 1995

Table 2.

Table 2. Chellical groups of 'brittle wares' froll four different regions in northern Syria

(Fe203 : Fetatll: loss: loss on ignition at 850' C; lain elellents as oxides in percent by weight, norMalized to a total of 1001;
trace elellents in PPII; MEANcalculated without statistical outliers. larked with asterisk; GSD : group standard deviation
in percent of the lean)

GROUP1
salple Si02 Ti02 Ah03 Fe203 MnO MgO CaD MuD K20 P20S Cr Ni Cu In Rb Sr Zr Nb Sa Ce loss total
Region A
725( 67.49 1.34 17.08 8.69 0.211 1.20 1.41 0.56 1.76* 0.203 158 316 114 32 94 82 115 50 352 19 396 134 1.26 100.25
7255 70.02 1.35 16.09 8.30 0.185 1.02 1.44 0.20 1.17 0.191 144 339 169 35 82 80 105 48 352 19 344 130 1.17 99.51
7256 64.68 1.0( 19.94 9.64 0.101 1.05 1.36 0.22 1. 46 0.466 139 399* 196 27 106 77 106 73 273 15 252 93 1.50 100.67
7258 68.63 1.37 16.96 8.67 0.187 1.10 1. 36 0.15 1.35 0.181 155 335 166 26 89 88 100 51 362 20 351 127 0.84 100.85
7262 63.02 1.09 21..4*10.35* 0.088 0.97 1.22 0.16 1.27 0.363 179* 414* 191 29 108 74 113 62 282 15 194 113 2.39 100.75
Region B
5933 67.02 1.39 11.69 8.85 0.184 1.18 1.85 0.19 1.35 0.261 150 332 113 28 101 85 199* 53 338 20 733 122 1.59 101.40
Downloaded by [Universite Laval] at 19:32 11 May 2016

5993 65.10 1.10 19.58 9.62 0.105 0.97 1.36 0.22 1.(7 0.437 169 389 194 31 113 13 152 61 290 18 297 111 3.02 100.68
5994 66.32 0.99 18.82 9.24 0.103 0.96 1.38 0.18 1.52 0.454 131 389 210 41 119 80 112 78* 210 17 273 109 1.45 100.54
5995 65.72 1.01 18.85 9.32 0.106 1.00 1. 78 0.21 1.46 0.490 132 359 209 30 109 82 119 71 281 17 238 95 1.85 100.25
5996 65.30 0.99 18.96 9.22 0.094 0.90 1.23 0.56* 2.30* 0.426 157 353 180 33 112 68 168 69 249 16 233 102 2.51 100.10
5997 65.15 1.03 19.67 9.68 0.111 0.98 1.30 0.09 1.45 0.516 142 370 213 36 116 88 94 75* 280 18 281 97 1. 01 100.15
5998 63.53 1.15 19.10 9.99 0.104 1.09 2.49* 0.17 1.51 0.213 153 392 210 29 100 83 132 54 269 20 23( 100 2.35 101.04
5999 68.57 1. 38 17.03 8.90 0.125 0.90 1.30 0.22 1.36 0.165 12( 322 171 38 99 84 111 51 355 21 301 103 1. 15 99.32
7267 67. 22 1. 25 17.63 8.85 0.169 1. 37 1.89 0.09 1.33 0.155 153 315 172 33 90 90 145 41 322 16 405 118 1.36 100.80
1268 66.65 1. 23 17.92 8.95 0.169 1.27 1.90 0.19 1.53 0.155 129 313 172 37 100 91 142 (6 313 19 300 119 1.62 99.87
7269 66.05 1. 28 18.19 9.32 0.152 1.12 1.40 0.15 1.50 0.214 156 325 179 31 106 100 103 53 333 19 325 117 1.14 100.71
1270 61.52 1.35 17.85 9.11 0.182 1.05 1.24 0.11 1.38 0.112 149 321 172 31 99 92 89 53 350 16 324 118 0.95 99.52
1213 65.94 1.30 18.37 9.16 0.171 1.26 1.52 0.32* 1.80* 0.128 121 291 173 32 85 74 131 46 322 18 327 117 2.61 93.67
Region C
2148 69.59 1.31 16.17 8.52 0.150 0.99 1.62 0.14 1.28 0.231 142 353 159 22 99 94 124 53 340 21 411 111 1.66 100.82
7962 61.96 1.35 17.53 8.86 0.170 1.13 1.47 0.10 1.24 0.158 158 325 163 28 95 94 110 51 350 11 589 119 1. 30 98.55
7963 68.18 1. 22 17.57 8.86 0.161 1.17 1.23 0.10 1.29 0.181 140 304 165 34 101 93 93 49 319 14 330 93 1. 24 99.36
1968 65.13 1.40 18.15 9.61 0.160 1.16 1.37 0.14 1.40 0.18( 174~ 326 171 28 103 99 89 51 357 18 332 125 0.04 98.21
Region 0
728( 65.36 1. 29 18.51 9.14 0.147 1.28 2.51~ 0.20 1.36 0.165 133 323 175 28 88 81 410* 41 323 17 1279* 118 3.43 100.73
1285 65.92 1. 29 18.S( 9.27 0.170 1.38 1.750.12 1.11 0.128 152 322 178 23 90 95 201 41 327 19 116* 120 1.16 101.43
1287 68.40 1.32 17.34 8.81 0.180 1.02 1.49 0.131.13 0.156 156 316 170 32 91 91 126 50 348 17 418 129 0.81 100.41
1288 68.55 1.30 16.64 8.49 0.196 1.05 1.87 0.33* 1.42 0.146 145 312 167 21 90 74 314* 50 345 18 992* 116 2.78 99.45

Group lean and standard deviation In : 26)

MEAM 66.1 1.24 18.1 9.09 0.15 1.10 1.49 0.18 1. 40 0.25 146 338 180 31 99 85 124 55 332 18 359 114 1.60
GSD 1.8 11.1 6.1 406 24.8 12.2 15.4 36. 11.8 51. 9.1 8.7 9.0 13.7 9.9 10.1 25. 16.4 9.7 10.8 39. 10.3 44.

sililar to group 1 (Region A)

4455 67.05 1.89 17.23 10.26 0.041 0.80 1.40 0.11 0.96 0.261 190 235 61 35 87 65 98 35 399 36 116 113 0.87 99.26
 BARTL et al. Notes on 'Brittle Wares' in North-eastern Syria 175

Table 2. continued

GROUP 2
salp le SiOz TiOz AhOI FezOI MnO MgO CaO NazO KzO PzOs Cr Ni Cu Zn Rb Sr Zr Nb Sa Ce loss tot a J

Region B
7272a 62.11 0.78 16.90 7.50 0.100 2.32 5.25 1.14 3.25 0.675 124 162 112 30 103 92 214 32 204 536 120* 2.90 100.06
7272b 62.45 0.78 16.93 7.39 0.099 2.30 4.99 1.13 3.25 0.687 119 158 111 27 96 90 203 32 206 556 107* 2.78 100.38
Region C
7274 60.38 0.79 16.73 7. 97 0.108 2.68 6.13 1.17 3.83 0.183 120 143 104 27 82 108 125 36 218 9 654 74 3.37 100.55
7275 62.24 0.81 17.76 7. 75 0.109 2.47 4.63 0.86 3.20 0.151 122 166 130 27 89 103 136 39 219 9 522 71 2.01 99.91
7276 64.83 0.82 16.57 7.28 0.110 1.98 3.97 1.19 3.03 0.171 106 184 110 20 15 96 119 41 237 10 531 91 1.61 100.74
7277 60.05 0.70 17.06 7.21 0.095 2.08 8.66 0.87 3.10 0.133 97144 110 20 69 98228 36200 7471 854.14 97.01
7278 64.03 0.83 17.36 7.52 0.115 2.16 3.58 1.13 3.15 0.089 109 175 126 25 17 103 107 40 231 8 513 63 1.55 99.05
7279 61.46 0.71 16.81 7.48 0.098 2.13 6.71 0.99 3.43 0.131 98 129 94 17 63 111 150 34 209 9 538 66 2.91 97.35
7281 64.46 0.78 17.76 7.57 0.107 2.00 2.68 1.02 3.42 0.168 111 164 113 21 81 110 100 40 225 9 622 90 1.81 100.49
7282 64.14 0.76 17 .16 7.53 0.110 2.14 3.08 0.89 3.44 0.106 110 161 111 26 71 114 106 38 225 10 566 90 1.79 101.06
7283 65.15 0.84 17.25 7.74 0.128 2.52 1.37 1.26 3.56 0.137 112 189 135 21 90 111 88 40 230 11 715 86 0.96 100.81
7966 63.96 0.90 17.75 8.06 0.119 2.34 1.98 1.68 3.05 0.136 120 158 105 21 81 95 105 40 233 9 595 78 2.09 99.19
Region D
Downloaded by [Universite Laval] at 19:32 11 May 2016

7286 66.25 0.78 16.53 7.08 0.121 1.92 2.08 1.23 3.72 0.261 105 161 112 20 75 110 259 41 235 10 921 79 1.20 99.16

Group lean and standard deviation (n : 12)

MEAN 63.3 0.8017.1 7.560.11 2.234.17 1.07 3.350.20 111162114 23 79104144 38222 9570 822.20
GSD 3.1 6.8 2.6 3.9 8.8 10.6 52. 13.8 7.8 81. 7.9 10.6 10.1 16.112.6 7.3 39. 7.7 5.5 11.9 12.4 16.5 43.

GROUP 3
suple SiOz TiOz AhO! FezO! MnO MgO CaO MazO KzO PzOs Cr Hi Cu In Rb Sr Zr Nb Sa Ce loss total

Region A
1257 56.46 1.16 18.44 9.44 0.162 3.13 7.53 1.03 2.45 0.163 182 482 209 34 110 82 234 36 228 13 412 88 3.61 99.89
7260 58.61 1.18 18.11 9.28 0.181 3.16 5.77 1.04 2.41 0.232 163 461 218 40 122 93 236 37 233 15 551 90 3.44 100.36
Region B
1263 58.41 1.16 18.65 9.45 0.164 2.93 5.49 0.95 2.49 0.207 164 535 212 30 116 83 275 40 238 16 392 83 3.45 99.93
7264 59.06 1.19 19.09 9.65 0.169 2.90 4.48 0.93 2.29 0.220 114 491 215 31 119 91 231 39 237 15 552 100 3.12 100.78
7265 56.71 1.13 18.U 9.30 0.158 3.33 7.51 1.01 2.15 0.176 176 522 214 29 113 81 238 37 221 15 319 89 4.92 100.44
1266 58.64 1.31 19.18 9.81 0.184 2.87 3.95 1.57* 2.28 0.168 171 521 221 30 99 81 210 43 256 14 387 112 3.91 99.42
Region C
4532 58.68 1.23 19.47 9.99 0.193 2.93 4.19 0.70 2.30 0.293 170 449 220 52* 141* 110* 196 39 252 15 536 84 2.01 100.13
7280 57.68 1.20 19.89 10.02 0.179 2.64 5.23 0.91 1.99 0.218 180 487 219 40 120 93 234 43 239 16 395 91 2.99 101032
1964 58.61 1.32 19.20 9.88 0.188 2.61 5.39 0.83 1.62 0.252 189 585 208 38 108 88 242 41 263 14 386 110 2.21 99. 12
7965 56.14 1.15 19.2310.03 0.151 3.41 6.87 0.91 1.90 0.168 188 702i 228 36 110 89 281 40 229 11 531 68 3.11 99.54
7961 57.91 1.22 20.28 10.21 0.185 2.61 4.40 D.90 1.98 0.201 179 482 209 33 116 96 198 40 237 13 401 83 2.59 99.65

Group lean and standard deviation In : 111

lean 57.9 1.21 19.1 9.74 0.17 2.97 5.53 D.93 2.17 0.21 176 502 216 34 113 88 234 40 239 14 447 91 3.21
GSD 1.8 5.1 3.4 3.4 7.9 9.1 23.2 11.1 12.3 19.2 4.9 8.0 2.9 12.3 6.0 6.4 11.5 5.8 5.3 10.4 17.0 14.0 25.

sillilar to group 3
5992 59.31 0.99 16.16 8.23 0.146 2.94 7.96 1.12 2.91 0.190 155 314 197 42 125 63 308 33 190 12 468 66 9.34 100.50
7259 64.69 0.92 15.30 7.01 0.012 4.32 3.02 1.80 2.11 0.121 164 416 146 32 89 13 309 24 184 8 297 68 3.11 100.61

GROUP 4 IRegion B)
sallple SiOz TiOz AhOI Fez03 MnO "gO CaO KazO KzO PzOs Cr Hi Cu Zn Rb Sr Y Zr Nb 8a Ce loss total

721ta 55.26 1.54 18.16 11.30 0.192 4.08 6.24 1.03 1.65 0.211 193 361 199 46 121 13 216 35 212 12 391 73 1.74 101.32
7271b 55.95 1.54 18.43 11.36 0.194 t02 5.64 1.03 1.63 0.203 192 358 202 54 124 74 202 35 218 13 402 65 0.00 100.58

GROUP 5 (Region A)
salple SiOz TiOz AhO! FezO! NnO MgO CaD HazO K20 PzOs V Cr Ni Cu In Rb Sr Ir Nb Sa Ce loss tota 1

7261 53.670.4018.859.080.1588.936.631.370.71 0.111192468214 40 61 157 11 33 1 56 3.46 101.01

 176 LEVANT XXVII 1995
preliminary results, however, have to be confirmed by
more analyses.
Our first series of analyses indicate that 'brittle
wares' represent imports at sites between the
Euphrates and the IZhabur in northern Syria originat-
ing from up to five production centers, some of which
may have existed for a very long time. We plan further
analytical work to gain more information on the dis-
tribution of 'brittle wares' in Syria and Palestine, and
on the location of centres of production.
Notes
1 Due to the lack of recorded sites containing a continuous
stratigraphy dating to the late Roman-ByzantinelUmay-
yad period, typological differences observed in the Jor-
danian- Palestinian region fail as yet to be detected in
Downloaded by [Universite Laval] at 19:32 11 May 2016
northern Syria. Scattered evidence however seems to
suggest very slight differences in pottery shapes (Harper
1980, fig. DD).
2 Pottery sherds from the Balikh survey are stored in the
Rijksmuseum, Leiden and at the Free University, Berlin;
the pottery of Tell Shaikh Hasan is kept at the University
of Saarbriicken; the IZhabur and Agig valley survey mate-
rial is preserved at the Free University, Berlin.
3 The authors wish to thank the following scholars: Prof.
Dr M. van Loon, Amsterdam and Dr PM.M.G. Akker-
mans, Leiden placed samples of the Balikh valley survey
and from the excavations at Tell Hammam at-Turkman at
our disposal; samples from the excavations of Tell Shaikh
Hasan/Euphrates were given by Dr]. Boese, Saarbriicken;
Prof. Dr H. IZiihne, Berlin has furnished samples from the
Khabur valley survey and the Wadi Agig survey.
4 A. Lazaro, who published the Roman-Parthian pottery of
Hammam et-Turkman X, kindly gave permission to use
some sherds from stratified contexts as samples (Table 1).
5 The program package for the interpretation of analytical
data was kindly supplied by Edward Sayre, Washington
D.C.
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