Middle-Late Cypriot Plain White Wares
Cyprus/all
c.1750 - c. 1050 BCE
Middle Cypriot III, Late Cypriot
General Information
Plain White is a broad ware first identified by Gjerstadt when categorizing the materials from the excavations by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition. It groups a variety of closed and open, small and large forms (e.g. bowls, jars, jugs and juglets, storage vessels). The distinguishing feature is a plain, unpainted surface, occasionally decorated with bands or incisions. Surfaces may be wet-smoothed or carry light burnishing, or left unaltered. On occasion vessels may have a white slip.
The clays are calcareous, meaning that sections and surfaces are pale although they do vary in color, from pale brown or pink to grayish white and buff). The texture and inclusions also vary; and all of these variations are very likely the result of many regional productions.
Two sub-types were originally recognized within this ware category, namely the Plain White Handmade ware (PWHM) and the Plain White Wheelmade ware (PWWM). Nonetheless, more recent research has recognised that early PWWM vessels were not manufactured through wheel throwing but were coil-built and wheel-fashioned. The production of Plain White ware starts in the Middle Cypriot III (c. 1750-1650 BCE) and continues until the Late Cypriot III (c. 1200-1050 BCE). PWWM was further divided into PWWM I and PWWM II, separating the earlier and later types. Petrographic analyses have been performed on samples from local or wholesale assemblages, revealing the variation of firing temperatures and specifying the nature of raw materials and inclusions.
Erimi Laonin tou Porakou (Cyprus/Western South Coast)
Hala Sultan Tekke, Dromolaxia Vizatzia (Cyprus/Eastern coast)
Tell Tweini (Syria/Coast/An-Nusayriah Mountains)
