The ceramics of Faras, Ballana, Qustul and Qasr Ibrim : a re-appraisal of pottery production and consumption in Lower Nubia during the Meroitic period
This study re-examines ceramic assemblages from regional cemeteries in northern Sudan from the Meroitic era (300 BC- AD 350) as well as Meroitic domestic assemblages from the important citadel and temple site of Qasr Ibrim. A number of objectives are pursued in this study including the first detailed ceramic classification for the Faras ceramics and their correlation with other contemporary assemblages. The ceramic form type seriation for Faras, Ballana, Qustul and Qasr Ibrim is critiqued, as is the validity of currently held ideas concerning the evolution of painted decorative style in Meroitic ceramics. Paramount above other research questions is the consideration of the tangible evidence for 'Romanization' in northern Sudan during the change-over of power from Ptolemaic rule under Augustus. The ceramic evidence presented showcases a poorly understood region at the border of the Roman southern imperial frontier. Ceramic evidence dating to the 1st century BC/AD suggests ceramic emulation in earnest for local (elite) funerary consumption. This pattern soon halted however, surely linked to an extended period of hostilities ending with a formal Roman-Meroitic treaty being drawn up in 20 B.C. and the revoking
McCann, Eric D.
The ceramics of Faras, Ballana, Qustul and Qasr Ibrim : a re-appraisal of pottery production and consumption in Lower Nubia during the Meroitic period. This study re-examines ceramic assemblages from regional cemeteries in northern Sudan from the Meroitic era (300 BC- AD 350) as well as Meroitic domestic assemblages from the important citadel and temple site of Qasr Ibrim. A number of objectives are pursued in this study including the first detailed ceramic classification for the Faras ceramics and their correlation with other contemporary assemblages. The ceramic form type seriation for Faras, Ballana, Qustul and Qasr Ibrim is critiqued, as is the validity of currently held ideas concerning the evolution of painted decorative style in Meroitic ceramics. Paramount above other research questions is the consideration of the tangible evidence for 'Romanization' in northern Sudan during the change-over of power from Ptolemaic rule under Augustus. The ceramic evidence presented showcases a poorly understood region at the border of the Roman southern imperial frontier. Ceramic evidence dating to the 1st century BC/AD suggests ceramic emulation in earnest for local (elite) funerary consumption. This pattern soon halted however, surely linked to an extended period of hostilities ending with a formal Roman-Meroitic treaty being drawn up in 20 B.C. and the revoking
ceramic re_appraisal pottery_production consumption lower_nubia period study re_examines ceramic_assemblage regional cemetery northern sudan era well domestic_assemblage important citadel temple_site number objective pursue study include first_detailed ceramic classification ceramic correlation contemporary assemblage ceramic form type seriation critique validity currently hold idea concern evolution paint decorative_style ceramic paramount question consideration tangible evidence romanization northern sudan change over power ptolemaic rule augustus ceramic_evidence present showcase poorly_understood region border roman southern imperial frontier ceramic_evidence date century date suggests ceramic emulation local_elite funerary consumption pattern soon halt however surely link extended period hostility end formal roman treaty drawn