General Information
Description

The most common, Classical period ware from Aila, Aila Coarseware represents a ware in which almost all shapes were produced from the beginning of Aila's Classical history (ca. 30 BCE) through to the Islamic period. The ware is easily identified by its light cream color and the frequent mica flecks. For its production, local clay was tempered with rock and mineral inclusions roughly the size of sand particles. Rarely, evidence of organic temper, such as straw, can be identified. In publications of the Roman Aqaba Project, Aila Coarseware is referred to as Ware 1, to differentiate it from the locally produced cooking ware (Aila Cooking Ware/Ware 3) and locally produced fineware (Aila Fineware/Ware 2). Aila Coarseware can be further subdivided into two subtypes (1a and 1b), based on a visual inspection. Both subtypes seemingly share a composition, and the slight difference in color likely originates from differential firing. The fabric of Ware 1a, by far the most common recovered from the site, has a slight reddish or pink color (10R 5/8; 2.5 YR 6/6; or 10R 6/6) and the slip is typically lighter (10YR 8/2 or 8/3; 7.5YR 7/4 or 8.3). The fabric of Ware 1b is tinged cream or green (10YR 7/3 or 8/3) and covered by a slip nearly identifical in appearance. 

Ware 1a/1b

al-'Aqaba, Aila (Jordan/Wadi 'Arabah)