This family represents a long-lived, widespread family of vessels that are all handmade and painted. Designs range from geometric patterns to lines and free-style - and sometimes also plastic - decorations. Many shapes are known, including jugs, jars, bowls, basins, and lamps. Various forming techniques are attested: a slow-turning disc, coils, slabs (at Aqaba in Jordan), and sandbags (at Deir Alla and Heshban in Jordan). Low or poor firing is common, resulting in a noticeable black core; although some better-made, better fired examples are known. The firing variations may well be from production in open-air pits; such firing is known from Mandate-period Palestine. This tradition of handmade painted ware is known well beyond the Levan...
This description refers specifically to vessels from Petra and the Feynan. The clay is light brown to red in color, usually with a grey or black firing core. A distinguishing aspect is the presence of vegetal inclusions, which in Petra are included in a high proportion, in some cases specifically as dung temper. Other inclusions include many grits and lime. Vessels often covered with whitish or buff slip; orange slip is less common. On vessels from the middle and late Islami...
Afula (Israel/Jezreel Valley)
Beth She'an, Scythopolis (Israel/Beth She'an Valley)