Bamboula, Pottery classification

6.

might be misled into considering these offshade ceramic products - in which the clay is pinkish or darker than usual, and perhaps chalky, the paint lifeless and somewhat matt - as local imitations øf the same variations did not occur side by side with the standard repertory at Mycenean sites. (Cf. Furumark Ant. Journal XXXII 1952, 3-4 p. 157).

The difficulties in the way of assuming Levantine, particularly Cypriote, manufacture of the Mycenean ware found in the Near East, are thus seen to be serious. Since, I suppose, the most ardent proponents of Levantine provenience do not think that local Levantine potters made the ware but must assume a sizeable (and durable) colony of highly original and competent potters imported from various parts of the Mycenean world to Cyprus or some such place, it is difficult to see what is gained by working with such a large hypothesis. It is true that they may rest their case on the tenet that such a hypothesis cannot be disproved. But the inability to point to a real Levanto-Mycenean colony, using that word in a sense which can be defended and interpreted politically and culturally, as well as economically, robs the hypothesis of vital significance in the history of the Mycenean Empire; though, of course, it has some importance in the question of the extension and technique of ancient trade.

In view of these facts, and without denying that many bowls and isolated other pieces in the Mycenean ceramic tradition (to say nothing of clearly recognizable local imitations which in any case are excepted) may have been made in the Levant by local potters or even stray immigrant potters, descriptive terms implying Levantine origin of Mycenean pottery are not employed in this publication.

Mycenean (2)

Among Mycenean wares found at Bamboula is a type of coarse ware characterized by what appears to be ground sherd temper. The paint is crumbly and generally exists only in traces. The ware is generally somewhat thick and coarse looking but not of hard consistency. Noticeable in Mycenean grave groups

Handwritten: Type of Bamboula an argument for mainland manufacture?

Handwritten: Isn't the existence of Mycenean…