General Information

In Ptolemaic times, pottery was made throughout the Nile Delta for the use of households in this region. While all producers used Nile silt as their chief medium, from west to east, and north to south, there seem to have been slightly different regimes of tempering and firing - as well, perhaps, as slightly different amounts of iron and other minerals, which may suggest regional ware family groupings. Western Delta Nile Silt wares are dark red to brown in color, with a notable admixture of mineral temper. This hardy utility ware was used to make the full array of household pottery, from small bowls and saucers for table use to cooking pots and storage bins. 

For other regional productions in the Delta in Ptolemaic times, see Eastern Delta Ptolemaic Nile Silt Common Ware and Southern Delta Ptolemaic Fine Ware.

The fabric is well levigated. The core ranges from 7.5YR 4/2 to 10R 5/8. Temper consists of finely ground white, gray and red grits, with white being predominant. A similar size range of micaceous inclusions is also frequent. Vessels for table use are regularly slipped, and the surface is sometimes polished to effect a sheen. The slip ranges in its final, fired color from red to orange. Occasionally additional decoration in white paint is added to the exterior.

Naukratis (Egypt/Delta/Lower Egypt)