General Information

Philistine Bichrome ware (also known as Philistine 2) developed from the Philistine 1 assemblage and forms a unique amalgamation of Aegean, Canaanite, Cypriote and Egyptian ceramic styles, the Aegean element being dominant. This ware has a darker fabric than Philistine Monochrome, from which it develops. The core of the repertoire of the Philistine Bichrome style is comprised of forms that continue from Philistine Monochrome style: bell-shaped bowls, kraters, stirrup jars, feeding bottles and strainer jugs. Other Philistine Monochrome types do not appear in the Philistine Bichrome assemblage, among them small carinated bowls with strap handles, various round-sided bowls, and kylikes. On the other hand, new types are introduced to the Bichrome Philistine assemblage, mainly jugs, amphoriskoi and bottles. Most of the Philistine bichrome repertoire continued to appear in the debased style, with changes in shape and decoration. Philistine bichrome vessels are common at sites in Israel's southern coastal and Shephelah; they also occur occasionally at northern sites such as Megiddo and Tel Dan. The northernmost example comes from Tel Banat in Syria.

Description

Philistine Bichrome vessels usually have dark-gray, brown or orange color, a considerable amount of inclusions, a texture softer than that of Philistine Monochrome vessels, and frequently a core. Most have bichrome red and black (less frequently, red and brown) decoration, usually on the background of white slip. Some, however, are decorated in one color – black or reddish-brown. The fabric, surface finish and formation technique of debased Philistine wares are generally identical to that of local tradition vessels, and only certain elements of their shape and sometimes decoration preserve their distinctiveness. Motifs continue from those seen on Philistine Monochrome, but with more variation. Spirals, checkerboards, birds, fish, and crosses are common.

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Israel

Aphek (Israel/Central Coastal Plain)

Azor (Israel/Central Coastal Plain)

Gezer (Israel/Shephelah)

Khirbet er-Rasm (Israel/Shephelah)

Tel 'Eton (Israel/Shephelah)

Tel Dan (Israel/Hula Valley)

Tel Kinrot, Tell el-‘Oreimeh (Israel/Galilee)

Tel Miqne/Ekron (Israel/Shephelah)

Tel Qeshet (Israel/Shephelah)

Tel Zeror (Israel/Central Coastal Plain)

Tell Megiddo (Israel/Jezreel Valley)

Tell Qasile (Israel/Central Coastal Plain)

Israel-Palestinian Authority

Ashdod (Israel-Palestinian Authority/Southern Coastal Plain)

Ashkelon (Israel-Palestinian Authority/Southern Coastal Plain)

Beth Shemesh (Israel-Palestinian Authority/Central Highlands)

Qubur Walagda (Israel-Palestinian Authority/Southern Coastal Plain)

Tell es-Safi/Gath (Israel-Palestinian Authority/Southern Coastal Plain)

Syria

Tall al-Banat (Syria/Homs Desert)