Petrographic analysis alongside elemental and Sr-Nd isotope studies indicate that this fabric originates from Rough Cilicia, where it was distributed primarily via sea throughout the Levantine world. The clay matrix is usually quite dense and red throughout. The most common non-plastic inclusions are: quartz, micritic limestone (microcrystalline calcite), and dark-red opaque inclusions. The quartz grains range from silt to very fine sand-sized grains (0.02 - 0.2 mm) that can be angular or subangular and exhibit undulose extinction. Micritic limestone is presented in very fine sand-sized grains as rounded, subangular, and elongated clasts, the latter of which may be fragments of fossil shells, though this is difficult to identify with certainty. The volume of the dark-red opaque inclusions is approximately 2-5%, and they are principally well-rounded, which is indicative of their long hydraulic transport. They are also part of the matrix, occurring as very small grains.

Local potters changed the treatment of this fabric depending on the vessel and its purpose, and thus Kibaroğlu et al 2019 divide this fabric into three subfabrics: fine, sem-fine, and semi-coarse fabrics (eg. levigation of raw clay for the fine fabrics, and tempering for the semi-fine and the semi-coarse fabrics). Common features of the fine fabric subgroup are the very fine paste, the low amount of visible inclusions (< 10%), and its compact fabrics. The main inclusions identifiable using polarized light microscopy are quartz, micritic limestone (microcrystalline calcite), and dark-red opaque inclusions. Very fine mica flakes have also been identified in small amounts (e.g., in RL-9).

The semi-fine group is petrographically different from the other subgroups in terms of the main inclusions and overall fabric appearance. They are marked by a higher proportion of large grains, particularly micritic limestone fragments, compared with the fine fabric subgroup. Further inclusions are quartz, chert, and dark red-opaque. Well-rounded single metamorphic rock and quartz-sandstone grains were also observed.

The semi-coarse group is characterized by large inclusions in large quantities of up to 25%, and can be separated from the other subgroups in terms of its large amount of coarse inclusions and inclusion types. The grain size varies from 0.5 to 2.5 mm (Fig. 5c). The main inclusions are quartz, micritic limestone, metamorphic grains, sandstone, and dark-red opaque fragments. Quartz grains are usually angular or subangular, and are present in proportions of 5%. Micritic limestone displays subangular and partly angular shapes found in 10%. Distinctive inclusion for this subgroup are the low-grade metamorphic rock fragments (Fig. 5c). These are well-rounded, and usually elongated in shape. The metamorphic fragments have fine grains, and show wavy foliation, suggesting that they are derived from phyllite. Due to the fact that clear visible wavy foliation is missing in some of the samples, these may be identified as slate. Quartz-sandstone fragments have also been observed in minor amounts, c. 2%.

* This description comes from the observations of Kibaroğlu et al 2019: pp 422-425

This fabric is primarily recognizable through its fine pink-red paste and the quartz, micritic limestone, and dark-red opaque inclusions. It is directly related with the Red Lustrous Wheel-made ware family that was common throughout the eastern Mediterranean and Levant in the Late Bronze Age (1500 - 1200 BCE). Potters working with this fabric often manipulated it through levigating or tempering, which led to several subgroups of various textures. *

*This description comes from Kibaroğlu et al 2019: p 422

Alalakh, Tel Atchana (Turkey/Eastern Mediterranean)

Boğazköy (Turkey/Central)

Kilise Tepe (Turkey/Eastern Mediterranean)