In the Hellenistic period, potters throughout the eastern Mediterranean made small vessels for individual servings of food and drink. The same few forms were used everywhere, made by potters in every locale, each in clays local to their zone. Southern Coastal Plain Hellenistic Slipped Fine Ware is the version made by potters in the southern coastal plain of Israel. The clays here are granular and sandy, light buff to light brown, with many fine and small white and grey inclusions, generally fully fired. They do not hold a slip very well, so the color is thin and matte, generally fired red to reddish-brown.

Shapes include carinated cups with pinched handles, bowls with incurved and everted rims, and small saucers with drooping rims and small central depressions.

This ware is contemporary with Idumean Hellenistic Slipped Fine Ware, Sharon Plain Hellenistic Slipped Fine Ware, Southern Phoenician Hellenistic Red Slip Ware, Cilician Hellenistic Slipped Fine Ware, and Cypriot Hellenistic Red Slip Ware. In the late 2nd century BCE production of all these wares ceases on account of the introduction of Eastern Sigillata A, the first truly international table ware, which is invented by potters in the region of Antioch c. 135 BCE.

Gezer (Israel/Shephelah)

Ashqelon, Third Mile Estate (Israel-Palestinian Authority/Southern Coastal Plain)