Bamboula, Pottery classification

Stamp: Bamboula-attic Pottery in Cyprus p.184 etc.

The difficulty of establishing a satisfactory terminology for LC III pottery is evident from discussions of the subject by Gjerstad and Furumark. The term "Decorated Late Cypriote III Ware" and "Protowhite Painted" are the most recent suggestions; the latter is particularly acceptable because it is descriptive and concerns only relative chronology. The former is also descriptive and has only the disadvantage of overlapping, as Furumark points out, with Protowhite Painted chronologically. Both terms are retained in this publication (though I prefer "Late Cypriote III Decorated Ware" as being more euphonious) on the condition that the reader does not attach strict chronological significance to them. In general the high-water mark of occurrence of Late Cypriote III Decorated ware at Bamboula is in the LC III A period; that of Protowhite Painted ware falls in the LC III B period. But neither ware is limited to that chronological span alone.

The nature of the technique of Protowhite Painted ware can perhaps be discussed most clearly by beginning with White Painted ware and working backwards. The white painted category at Kourion occurs in two distinct clay varieties which may be represented by two cups of similar design from Kaloriziki, Tomb 35: (a) P 1797 is of slightly gritty light greenish clay. Small air holes give it a rough-appearing texture in places but nearly all larger particles have been sifted out. The paint is matt blue black. (b) The clay of P 1793 is similar in texture to that just described though slightly less gritty. Its color is light gray brown. The paint is a rather washy purple brown. These two basic types (of course, with countless variations) are the product of development. The Protowhite Painted sherds in List II below show the crystallization of the two basic types in that delicacy and lightness of technique which is characteristic of the Bronze Age in Cyprus at its best.

The initial formulation of the types is found in LC III Decorated ware, particularly bowls: the greenish gray, e.g. in Sh 244, 343, 394, 353; the gray brown, e.g., in Sh 155, 215, 383. Ultimately this differentiation probably

Handwritten: 430

Handwritten: 543

Handwritten: 428 421