Bamboula “A Tomb of the Early Classical Period” Benson (photos)

Continued from scan 16

… similar concentration of these jars was found in Tomb L/16 at Atlit, where seven examples of Type m occurred.5 These appear to be identical to the Bamboula specimens in every respect, except that they may be of coarser quality. They are therefore most useful as dating criteria, for an Attic black-figured lekythos gives a terminus post quem for the Atlit tomb.6 Its cylinder shape is comparable to a pot by the Cactus Painter assigned to the end of the sixth century, B.C.7 The lekythos from Atlit may even be slightly older, for its lip has the old-fashioned angular profile.8 The lower limit of Tomb L/16 is given by a coin, "obscure, but apparently of the so-called Philisto-Arabian class ranging from fifth century B.C. to the time of Alexander."9

It is possible to verify the date in the sixth century B.C. suggested by the Atlit tomb by noticing that another variety of its storage jars, Type k (close to Aphendrika Type 5), is very similar to specimens in Marion, Tomb 62: Nos. 1, 48-49.10 This tomb is classified as Cypro-Archaic II (600-475 B.C.). The Bamboula jars may accordingly be considered as Plain White V, if they are native ware. However, it must be emphasized that the considerations for dating presented above are indicative rather than conclusive. It must be stated that a jar very much like the Atlit Type m occurs in Palestine in a context as early as the XIXth dynasty;11 and that quite similar jars are in use as late as the Cypro-Classic II period.12 The shape thus has a long life.

(b) 14 There are, to my knowledge, no published parallels to this shape from Cyprus. With its convex sides and flaring piriform lower body, it is an original variation on the truly cylindrical "torpedo" shape as represented in the Cesnola Collection by a jar found at Nicosia.13 The Bamboula jar, however, is similar to still another type represented in Tomb L/16 at Atlit