J.R. Green with B. Rawson, Catalogue of Antiquities in the Australian National University, A.N.U. (Canberra, 1981) 75.

1973.15

Jug

From Al Mina. Presented by the Trustees of the British Museum. Ht 14.2cm; diam. 6cm.

A tall narrow-necked vessel with simple lip, handle of segmental section and flat base. Rough grey-buff clay with mica and small white inclusions. The surface is worn but there are traces of a cream-grey slip.

The vase comes from Sir Leonard Woolley’s excavations at the site of Al Mina near the mouth of the Orontes in Syria. This site, which first attracted Greek traders in the Geometric period, was an important avenue for the transmission of oriental objects and ideas into Greece. 1973.15 and 1973.16 are probably from Level III and are to be dated to the earlier part of the fourth century BC. They are of local manufacture but owe some inspiration to Greek prototypes (more particularly 1973.16).

For discussion of some issues raised by the site, see the article by A.J. Graham, “The Historical Interpretation of Al Mina”, Dialogues d’Histoire Ancienne 12, 1986, 51-65, and that by J. Boardman, “Al Mina and History”, Oxford Journal of Archaeology 9, 1990, 169-190, and there has been continuing discussion since then, especially in the context of the Geometric period. Note recently S.-A. Ashton and M. Hughes, “Large, Late and Local? Scientific Analysis of Pottery Types from Al Mina”, in: A. Villing (ed.), The Greeks in the East (British Museum Research Publication, 157 (London 2005) 93-103, and G. Lehmann, “Al Mina and the East: A Report on Research in Progress”, at pp. 61-92 in the same publication.

Cf. Journal of Hellenic Studies 58, 1938, 153 lekythoi L 4. See also 1973.16 in this catalogue.

J.R. Green with B. Rawson, Catalogue of Antiquities in the Australian National University, A.N.U. (Canberra, 1981) 75.