Cyprus/Troodos mountains
Cypro-Archaic, Cypro-Classical
Sydney Cyprus Survey, SIA 2...
Sydney Cyprus Survey Project (http://www.scsp.arts.gla.ac.uk/);
Knapp et al. 2003, 213, no. 4052.2.1, plate 34 should have this object, but instead is a repeat of plate 31 showing lithics
This object's fabric is of interest for future petrography. This fabric was identified and named soft red orange (SRO) during the Sydney Cyprus Survey Project's
work at SIA 2, Klirou-Mazovounos (see Given and Knapp 2003: 78-81 and Given and
Smith 2003). Soft red orange (SRO) fabric is generally for plain, undecorated
vessels, thus it seems to be a version of Cypriot Plain Light (Iron Age) ware.
It can be very friable and seems to be low-fired. Many pieces look as if they
would break easily and a bright orange color ends up on your hands and
everywhere when you work on this material. Study suggested that vessels of SRO
would not have been sturdy for everyday use, nor would they have been suitable
for serving food and drink that was actually consumed. The items from SIA 2 of
this fabric include a terracotta figurine from a chariot group, thus the vessels
and figures made of SRO may have been for symbolic purposes in a cult place.
Good photos of the fabric and thin sections are needed. Thus far only drawings
from the Sydney Cyprus Survey Project have been posted.