Description
Thin-section petrography of imported Combed jars has revealed the intensity of exchange relationships between Egypt and the Central Levant during the Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BC). Results confirm that the region of northern Lebanon – which includes the city of Byblos – enjoyed an enduring trade relationship with the Egyptian state for hundreds of years.Egyptian textual evidence indicates that jars were associated with the importation of oils, notably ‘š-oil from coniferous trees and sft-oil, but the scientific basis of this identification is slender. Indeed, until now the nature of the contents has been unclear, despite limited early analytical work.
Recent residue analysis, including GC-MS, on a limited number of samples taken from Combed jars held in the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), shows that the picture is more complex than assumed in the ancient literature and modern scholarship. Results reveal a high degree of variation in the nature of the residues present, while archaeological evidence shows that the jars themselves were re-used in Egypt.
Further adding to this picture, multi-proxy micro-botanical analysis suggests evidence of some plant presence. Swabs taken from the interior walls of the jars show traces of pollen grains, phytoliths, and fatty acids. The scanning electron microscope – SEM results indicate presence of poplar (Populus sp.), wild grass (Poaceae), sage (Salvia sp.), and olive (Olea europaea), suggesting exposure of the vessels to these vegetation during the period of active use.
Period | 21 Nov 2020 |
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Event title | American School of Oriental Research Annual Meeting |
Event type | Conference |
Location | Alexandria, VA, United States, VirginiaShow on map |
Degree of Recognition | International |
Documents & Links
Related content
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Research Outputs
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Foreign trade and Heit el-Ghurab
Research output: Contribution to Newspaper/Magazine/Website › Article
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Byblos and the early Egyptian state
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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The origin of imported jars from 6th dynasty Abusir: New light on Early Bronze Age Egyptian-Levantine relations
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Levantine "combed ware"
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Egypt in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Old Kingdom: an archaeological perspective
Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
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Perspectives on Egypt in the Southern Levant in light of the High Early Bronze Age Chronology
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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The Combed Jar as a Trade 'Brand' of the Early Bronze Age
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Activities
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Seminar paper "The Trade in Liquid Commodities between Egypt and the Levant during the Early Bronze Age"
Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation
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Public Lecture "Cosmic to Microscopic: Hidden Spaces and New Evidence from the Pyramid Field at Giza"
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Conference Paper "The Liquid Commodities Trade Between Egypt and the Levant in the 3rd Millennium BC"
Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation
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Seminar "The Liquid Commodities Trade between Egypt and the Levant in the Early Bronze Age"
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Press/Media
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Trade in the Pyramid Age (c. 2610-2490 BC)
Press/Media: Research
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Projects
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Pyramids, power and the dynamics of states in crisis
Project: Research