Wodzińska, A. 2009. A Manual of Egyptian Pottery. Volume 1: Fayum A-Lower Egyptian Culture. - Boston, Ancient Egypt Research Associates

Abstract

Dr. Anna Wodzińska, who works at the Institute of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw (Poland), is the head of the Ceramics Team of AERA (Ancient Egypt Research Associates) Field School. The main aim of the AERA Field School is to teach and train archaeological techniques for both, students and experienced archaeologists alike. Wodzińska developed for AERA four pottery manuals to teach about ancient Egyptian pottery.

Now, the manuals are made available for everyone, the present volume of which is the fi rst that has been published. It deals with seven different ‘periods’ of Predynastic Egypt: Fayum A, Merimde, Omari, Badari, Naqada I, Naqada II, and Buto-Maadi.

The volume consists of nine sections and a preface. In the preface, the author introduces the objective of the manual and explains how to use it, stressing the importance of ceramic analysis: “Ceramics are usually the most abundant artifacts present at Egyptian archaeological sites”, and it “can offer a great deal of useful information” (p. vii).

In section 1, the author provides a brief, but clear introduction to pottery production in Egypt, which she divides into four stages: material (two kinds of clay are identifi ed for Egypt: Nile alluvium and marl) and its preparation, the shaping methods, the surface treatment, and the decoration. Read more...