Tell el-Retaba 2017. Pottery in Context

Abstract

The pottery from the 2017 excavation season at Tell el-Retaba was analyzed in its specific context of finding. Three periods have been selected for analyses: The Second Intermediate Period, the early 18th Dynasty and the Third Intermediate Period. The ceramic material selected for study was particularly associated with units located within well-defined layers – tombs and domestic structures. Although the majority of the vessels are well known at Tell el-Retaba, new forms also appeared, for instance, a fish vase. It seems that the early New Kingdom settlement was mostly provisioned. Material from the Third Intermediate Period testifies to all stages of food preparation. Some of the pots may reflect ritual usage of houses during the Third Intermediate Period.