Pots and Potters of Assyria ― Technology and Organisation of Production, Ceramic Sequence and Vessel Function at Late Bronze Age Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria

In this major study of Middle Assyrian ceramics at Tell Sabi Abyad, the director of the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo, Egypt introduces this archeological site in northern Syria, historical background on its settlement in the Late Bronze Age, and previous work in Middle Assyrian ceramics. Duistermaat integrates physical descriptions, comparisons with ceramics from other contemporary sites in the region, and a chronological sequence analysis based on 13,000 sherds, with insights into the evolution of their production and function. Appendices add information on shape classification, pottery kilns used, clay analyses, potter's marks and signs, functional properties of selected shape groups; and reproductions of two related cuneiform texts. Based on the author's doctoral thesis, the volume includes maps and illustrations throughout. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)