Banias ware
Israel/Hula Valley, Israel/Golan
1st c. - 6th c. CE
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General Information
Banias ware is the local coarse ware of the metropolitan region of Caesarea Philippi, in the northeastern Hula Valley. It is pale pink to light orange in color, unslipped, with fabric and surface generally the same color, sometimes with a pale yellowish core. In the early phases of production a wider range of shapes are produced, including cooking vessels, jugs, bowls, and possibly lids. At some point in the 2nd c. CE, cooking vessels disappear, possibly because such vessels began to be made in Hula Valley early-mid Roman Sunset Ware, which was more suited for the production of cooking vessels. In the 3rd and 4th c. CE, this ware is mostly represented by small (5-6 cm diameter) and large (16-18 cm diameter) bowls with a variety of rim treatments. The larger sizes are found at Caesarea Philippi and Horvat Omrit; the smaller sizes were used as simple sanctuary lamps at the Sanctuary of Pan. Another common shape in the late Roman period are jars with thickened banded rims and long necks.
Banias ware is similar in range of color and texture to Phoenician semi-fine ware. It differs in that it is a bit harder fired, with the occasional narrow angular void. The fabric lacks the fine rounded red inclusions that are typical to semi-fine ware. It is also less chalky in texture - and it appears in a very different range of shapes.
A well-levigated, slightly chalky feeling fabric, with frequent very small lime flecks, very small circular voids, and the occasional small rounded red and grey inclusion. In the late Roman period the vessels have a somewhat more powdery feel.
