Byzantine-early Islamic Nile Silt Red Slip ware (Groups K and K1)
Egypt/Delta/Lower Egypt, Egypt/Fayoum, Egypt/Upper Egypt
4th - 8th centuries CE
Byzantine, Early Islamic - Umayyad/Abbasid/Tulunid
General Information
The place of production of this ware has not yet been clearly determined. It has been suggested that it was either located in northern Egypt, in the vicinity of Alexandria or Kellia, or in central Egypt, by el-Asmunein (Hermopolis Magna). In contrast to the Aswan Red Slip ware (Groups O and OP) this tableware is not known to have been exported out of Egypt.The repertoire of shapes partially reflects the shapes of
other more important ceramic productions of the Mediterranean. The most common shapes include all open shapes but plates appear to be the most frequent.
The Byzantine-early Islamic Nile Silt Red Slip Ware usually exhibit a bichrome fragment that is brown on the exterior and red in the center. The fabric sometimes also has a uniform brown color. The numerous mica particles of the fabric are clearly identifiable. The slip is red-brown and thick and has a dull glossy finish.
Aswan, Elephantine (Egypt/Upper Egypt)
