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443:, the undoubted origin of the black-topped motif in pottery is tied to gourd cups in Sudan which have a black rim, "for when a gourd is cut in half to make two bowls, its rim is always fired, presumably in order to prevent it tasting or splintering." Arkell states that it was natural for potters to try to recreate the black rim because "a gourd would not look right without a black rim." This theory argues that the black top was not immediately a matter of function, but an aesthetic choice influenced by a tradition that was created for the functionality of alternative materials.
272:
166:
90:
432:. "The fabric and polished red surface are identical with the polished red ware, and like the latter it was shaped by hand and baked," however, black-topped vessels tend to vary in form compared to red polished vessels which have thinner necks and often more detailed rims. This variation in form could be attributed to the necessity for a wider and more simple rim when creating the black top and interior, and does not negate the possibility of a relationship between black-topped ware and red polished ware.
403:, red and black had symbolic significance, where "red is the color of chaos and death and black is the color of fertile land of Egypt and resurrection." This claim argues that the black top coupled with the polished red surface represents the duality life and death and was an intentional reference to the symbolic significance of red and black in Egyptian funerary practices. The liquid contents of the vessels then represented the Nile and the renewal process associated with the river's
111:
97:
255:, which is liquified clay, to vessel surfaces. Much of the pottery found at Nabta Playa feature slips that are applied to alter the surface color, to smooth the surface, and/or to reduce the porosity of the vessel. The application of red slips and self-slips, which maintain the natural color of the clay, indicate that the red surface treatment was an intentional choice made by the potters.
173:
466:
398:
Moreover, Sowada states that the unique two-toned red and black color scheme can be attributed to symbolism. The black-topped vessels in Sowada's corpus "are all from cemetery and cultic deposits," and the appearance of black-topped ware can give insight to the function of such vessels in temple or
320:
of the blackened rim and interior is significantly less than that of the red exterior. This feature can give archaeologists insight into the contents and function of these vessels. The variation in porosity suggests that the addition of the black top may have been an enhancement of functionality as
307:
in 1974 proved that the black top was created by “a combination of reduction and carbon smudging and not the result of the presence of carbon only” as Lucas had theorized. Lucas’ two-phase production process, which is the more commonly accepted theory, consists of an initial firing process in which
279:
Black-top pottery was made from Nile silts, which fire to a red-brown color once oxidized. The difference in color is caused by the variation in chemical effects on the clay during the firing process. The production techniques used to achieve this black-top effect, however, have been widely debated
238:
The introduction of black-topped pottery shows a shift in material use, finishing techniques, and firing methods. From the Middle
Neolithic into the Late Neolithic, potters shifted from using more porous, rougher materials found in lake and river deposits to finer clays that were "refined through a
263:
The most notable technological advancement that emerged with black-topped pottery is the development of improved firing techniques. Changes in firing techniques "include new methods to achieve higher firing temperatures and the deliberate creation of the black tops." The higher firing temperatures
502:
387:, the prince is "seated before a table of offerings including a black-topped jar." The surrounding imagery indicates that the vessel may have been "used for the offering of ritual liquids in funerary rites." Additionally, on the mid-Fourth Dynasty slab stela of Princess
490:
231:, a period of increased aridity. Climatic shifts caused changes in mobility and interaction between groups and catalyzed innovations in pottery production. According to archaeologist Kit Nelson, "the multitude of changes that appear in pottery during the
284:, one of the first archaeologists to discuss black-topped pottery, suggested that during the firing process the top portion of the vessels would be partially buried in ashes so that “as the charcoal covered them it deoxidised the iron from red
370:
Black-topped pottery is exclusively found in cemeteries and cultic deposits, and the appearance of black-topped vessels "probably echoes the actual use of such jars in Early
Dynastic temple or funerary ritual." Archaeologist
250:
An additional advancement that emerged alongside black-topped pottery is the development of different finishing techniques. A wider variety of finishing techniques can be seen in Late
Neolithic pottery including adding
407:
and fertilization. Sowada also suggests that the desire to create two-toned vessels may have been an attempt by potters to copy
Predynastic stone craftsmen that were making two-toned stone vessels out of
299:, who theorized that the black top was a chemical effect caused by carbon as opposed to a lack of oxygen, and that the technique the Egyptians used would have required two firing sessions. Eventually a
454:
243:," a method used to separate small objects from sediments using water. Late Neolithic pottery can include various materials added into the clay body such as sand that is used as a
803:
N.A. Eissa, H.A. Sallam, S.A. Saleh, F.M. Taiel, & L. Kezthelyi (1974). "Mössbauer Effect Study of
Ancient Egyptian Pottery and the Origin of the Colour in Black Ware".
478:
159:
A–B periods in Upper Egypt." The frequency of black-top pottery began to wane in the Early
Dynastic Period during Naqada IIC "and appears to fall out of use by Naqada IID."
345:. "The jars are characterized by splaying, conical feel, high shoulders, and narrow necks." During the Predynastic Period, in Dynasty I-II, pottery was made by hand, and
375:
postulates that the religious function of black-topped pottery is demonstrated via two-dimensional artwork from the Early
Dynastic Period. Multiple objects from
308:
the ware would be removed from the kiln during the red-hot stage (approximately 540 degrees
Celsius) and “placed mouth downwards on a layer of sawdust.”
598:
Hendrickx, S.; Friedman, R.F. & Loyens, F. (2000). "Experimental
Archaeology concerning Black-Topped Pottery from Ancient Egypt and the Sudan".
840:
617:
836:
424:
There are multiple alternative theories concerning the function of black-topped pottery and the reasoning behind the color scheme. Egyptologist
436:
247:, which is any non-plastic material that is used to strengthen the clay and prevent excess shrinkage and cracking during the firing process.
700:
325:
clay in Egypt and Sudan, the presence of black-top pottery began to wane. Marl clay was able to be fired at higher temperatures than
218:
claims. He's an outlier in claiming that the black areas were exposed during the reduction. Others say it was buried in sand or ash.
74:-jar form and feature red bodies with black tops and interiors. The red color is derived from the natural iron that occurs within
472:
The distinctive black-topped
Egyptian pottery of the Predynastic period associated with Flinders Petrie's Sequence Dating System
820:
165:
89:
416:. She states, "black-topped ceramic jars were possibly an attempt by potters to copy stone jars in clay, or vice versa."
67:
429:
70:” and were discovered in ancient cemeteries and settlements. The majority of these pots are variations of the Egyptian
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782:
676:
508:
Sherd from a Black-topped Red Ware Beaker with a Graffito of an Elephant (detail picture), Metropolitan Museum of Art
280:
among archaeologists. Initially it was theorized that the black color was caused by a lack of oxygen. Egyptologist
186:
124:
78:
which oxidizes upon firing, and the black top and interior is a product of reduction firing and carbon smudging.
648:
K. Nelson, E. Khalifa (2010). "Nabta Playa Black-topped pottery: Technological innovation and social change".
982:
63:
288:
to black magnetic oxide." Petrie also claimed that the black top was achieved in a single firing session.
321:
opposed to solely a stylistic choice. This theory is supported by the fact that upon the introduction of
972:
357:
997:
987:
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Sherd from a Black-topped Red Ware Beaker with a Graffito of an Elephant, Metropolitan Museum of Art
802:
31:
19:
206:
992:
376:
240:
391:, a black-topped vase is seen to the right of the princess's head. Similar to the slab stela of
383:
depict these vessels being used in rituals or as offerings. In the Fourth Dynasty slab stela of
692:
300:
292:
143:
of Egypt dating to 5,810±80 bp, and is most commonly associated with the Predynastic Period in
140:
611:
404:
380:
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theorizes that the similarities in surface treatment indicate a possible association with
8:
697:
Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center – Technologies. University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
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35:
227:
The first appearance of black-topped pottery was seen in Nabta Playa dating to 5,810±80
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of the clay body which allowed the pottery of the Late Neolithic to be more durable.
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are an important reflection of broader changes that occur during this period."
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The earliest occurrence of black-topped pottery comes from Nabta Playa in the
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Black-topped red ware jar with a climbing animal, Metropolitan Museum of Art
395:, this depiction is also surrounded by imagery related to liquid offerings.
147:. Black-topped ware was the predominant type of pottery associated with the
440:
400:
372:
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Another theory suggests that the black top may be mimicking black-lipped
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are known to exist.” These vessels were used “exclusively for ritual and
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in present-day Sudan. This type of artifact dates predominantly to the
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210:"This particular Egyptian method was introduced on the island of
341:-jar, which are tall shouldered jars that were used for pouring
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Black-topped red ware bowl, Israeli National Maritime Museum
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Black-topped ware typically takes the form of the Egyptian
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43:
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and "continued to be typical of pottery production during
769:, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 86–87,
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Petrie, William Matthew Flinders; Quibell, J. E. (2013),
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Black-topped red ware beaker, Metropolitan Museum of Art
861:"Predynastic and Archaic Egypt in the Brooklyn Museum"
805:
Recent Advances in Science and Technology of Materials
329:, thus the porosity of this ware was naturally lower.
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Recent Advances in Science and Technology of Materials
647:
275:
Black-topped red ware jar, Metropolitan Museum of Art
23:
Black-topped red ware jar, Metropolitan Museum of Art
316:A notable feature of black-topped ware is that the
650:British Museum Studies in Ancient Egypt and Sudan
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349:-made pottery did not emerge until Dynasty III.
858:
548:"Black-Topped Ware in Early Dynastic Contexts"
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714:Peacock, D. P. S.; Rice, Prudence M. (1989).
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616:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
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839:) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
835:: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of May 2024 (
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671:. London: Thames & Hudson. p. 34.
859:Spencer, A. J.; Needler, Winifred (1988).
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62:, but “a handful of examples made in the
921:"The origin of black-topped red pottery"
767:Six Temples at Thebes, Naqada and Ballas
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291:This theory would later be contested by
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16:Type of Prehistoric Egyptian pottery
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552:The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology
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13:
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600:Cahiers de le CĂ©ramique Egyptienne
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807:. Vol. III. pp. 85–98.
716:"Pottery Analysis: A Source Book"
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439:. According to archaeologist
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775:10.1017/cbo9781107338777.020
667:Noble, Joseph Veach (1988).
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813:10.1007/978-1-4684-7233-2_6
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311:
10:
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937:10.1177/030751335904600116
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546:Sowada, Karin N. (1999).
82:Archaeological chronology
34:that was found in Nubian
30:is a specialized type of
978:Ancient Egyptian pottery
32:Ancient Egyptian pottery
886:2027/mdp.39015038033513
815:(inactive 2024-05-02).
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919:Arkell, A. J. (1960).
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301:Mossbauer spectroscopy
276:
219:
24:
360:
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223:Materials and methods
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64:Early Dynastic Period
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983:Archaeology of Sudan
399:funerary ritual. In
191:Archaeological sites
187:class=notpageimage|
129:Archaeological sites
125:class=notpageimage|
36:archaeological sites
28:Black-topped pottery
763:"Summary of Ballas"
155:, or Naqada I, and
42:, an island on the
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297:analytical chemist
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60:Predynastic Period
25:
973:Predynastic Egypt
822:978-1-4684-7235-6
430:polished red ware
405:cycle of flooding
259:Firing techniques
68:funerary purposes
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931:(1): 105–106.
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202:Technologies
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393:Wepemnofret
389:Nefertiabet
385:Wepemnofret
239:process of
145:Upper Egypt
117:Nabta Playa
103:Elephantine
48:Nabta Playa
40:Elephantine
967:Categories
790:2021-10-26
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693:"Ceramics"
656:: 133–148.
558:: 85–102.
514:References
366:Ritual use
76:Nile silts
44:Nile River
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414:limestone
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699:. 2011.
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