Description
ITEM | Amphoriskos |
MATERIAL | Pottery |
CULTURE | Bronze Age |
PERIOD | 2400 – 2000 B.C |
DIMENSIONS | 140 mm x 145 mm |
CONDITION | Good condition |
PROVENANCE | Ex Emeritus collection (USA), collected from the 1950’s to the 1980’s by a distinguished university professor who served as Department head, Dean and Vice President of a major university. |
PARALLEL | HENDRIX, E., DREY, P. and STORFJELL, J., Ancient Pottery of Transjordan, p. 133, Fig. 128 BRITISH MUSEUM Collection, Accession number 1984,0611.24 and 1984,0611.23 |
Ceramic amphoriskos are archaeological artifacts of great significance dating back to the Bronze Age, a period that spans approximately from 3300 to 1200 BC. These small vessels were primarily used for storing and transporting liquids such as oil, wine, or perfumes, and they are characterized by their distinctive amphora-like shape with two handles and a narrow neck. Amphoriskos were often adorned with intricate geometric patterns or symbolic figures that reflected the artistic and cultural aesthetics of the Bronze Age civilization to which they belonged.
These objects are crucial for archaeologists and historians as they provide valuable insights into daily life, trade, and technology of the era. Furthermore, ceramics, particularly amphoriskos, are frequently discovered in archaeological excavations, allowing researchers to trace trade routes and cultural diffusion throughout the Bronze Age, thereby contributing to our understanding of ancient civilizations that inhabited that period.