Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

SAQQARA

EGYPT

SAQQARA 2007: THE POTTERY

Teodozja I. Rzeuska

Less pottery was recorded in 2007 than in
previous seasons, but in spite of this and the
fact that no sealed offering or ritual deposits

were found, the fieldwork has contributed
to the existing vessel typology, especially
with regard to Old Kingdom pottery.

ARCHAIC-EARLY OLD KINGDOM
(THIRD-FOURTH DYNASTIES)

Examples of Archaic and early Old Kingdom
pottery have never been numerous, especially
compared to the late Old Kingdom ceramic
assemblage, and this season was no
exception. The finds, mostly small sherds (no
intact vessel has been found so far), were
limited to the eastern sectors in the vicinity
of the enclosure wall of the funerary complex
of the pharaoh Netjerykhet. The repertoire
did not depart from that identified in
previous fieldwork.

With regard to the Archaic period,
a limited several dozen fragments have been
recorded so far — mainly large, spindle-
shaped jars which were probably beer jars,
handmade of Nile C clay. The outer bottom
part was tool-trimmed, using a brush or piece
of wood to judge by the telltale scratching on
the surface, and then red-slipped. The end
effect is that the bottom of the jar is angular
instead of being round. On one fragment
representing this jar type, a vessel bottom


Fig 1. Bottom part of jar with the hieroglyphic sign mr in black ink
(All drawings and photos T.I. Rzeuska; inking M. Orzechowska)

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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007