DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49517#0428
322
HARVARD AFRICAN STUDIES
6. That the pottery in use in any one village in Upper Egypt always includes Keneh vessels in
three functionally different forms, Ballas vessels in the same form but three functionally
different sizes, and red-ware cooking pots and pans usually from a local pottery. But at
present the use of the cooking pots has been adversely affected by the introduction of
cheap crockery, enamelled iron, and copper vessels. It is probable that this competition
of European vessels has at some time in the recent past broken up a third great center of
pottery manufacture which distributed red-ware cooking pots all over Egypt.
The phenomena presented by the distribution of pottery in the graves of ancient Egypt
correspond approximately to these modern conditions. In the New Kingdom the two chief
wares are the drab and the red, and these were distributed in identical forms and sizes
from one end of Egypt to the other. Certain forms of bearers, bowls, and jars occur in
both wares, while many other forms are peculiar to one or the other. I have no doubt that
the ancient drab wares were made at Keneh and Ballas, where the same materials are found
today and where the climatic conditions are most favorable to the manufacture. The red
ware was probably localized in the same way, possibly at Abu-’s-Se’ud, but modern con-
ditions have deprived us of the material which might indicate the exact district. A third
common ware (W. S. R.) shows us that the drab wares were imitated by laying a whitish or
drab slip over a red ware, and indicates that the drab wares were more highly regarded.
In older periods similar conditions may be shown to have existed as far back as the Pre-
dynastic Period. I conclude that the manufacture of Egyptian pottery was a widely spread
craft practiced in every home, but especially productive in a few districts favored by sources
of material, climatic conditions, and craft traditions, and that the greater part of the
ancient pottery was distributed from these centers of manufacture by river transport.
Functionally the ancient Egyptian vessels serve the simple uses of a primitive agricul-
tural people. Large jars and great basins, too heavy to be carried when filled, were kept
in one place in the house or courtyard for the storage of wine, beer, grain, cheese, pickled
cucumbers, or water. Portable jars of medium size were used for carrying water, and it is
interesting to note that for this, which is largely woman’s work, a smaller size of jar is now
made for little girls to carry. Small jars were used for water, honey, oil, etc. The drink-
ing vessels for water, beer, or wine were small jars, beakers, and bowls, and in certain periods
one form of drinking vessel had a long spout from which the liquid was drunk. Bowls and
basins were used for milk, cheese, and fish, as well as for cooked vegetables such as beans
and greens. Cooking pots and basins are also indispensable, and while meat, stews, and
soups are often eaten by poor people directly from the pot, they are frequently also poured
out into the ordinary bowls and basins. Flat pans and platters, both of pottery and basket-
work, served for bread and for vegetables which were eaten uncooked, such as onions.
Cosmetics, such as kohl, were carried in small alabaster or pottery jars, and perfumed oils
and fats, in slightly larger jars of the same materials. Besides the vessels used for the
necessities of daily life, there were also various special vessels used in the crafts, such as
jars and basins for brewing, tanning, and dyeing, but these are distinguishable only by
means of the representations in the sculptures.
Such is the simple equipment of pottery necessary to the needs of a primitive commu-
nity. When an unusual necessity arises, for which no special vessel exists, the handiest
vessel is taken of those ordinarily employed for other purposes. But ancient pottery was
considerably affected by another function — that of serving the life after death, as well
HARVARD AFRICAN STUDIES
6. That the pottery in use in any one village in Upper Egypt always includes Keneh vessels in
three functionally different forms, Ballas vessels in the same form but three functionally
different sizes, and red-ware cooking pots and pans usually from a local pottery. But at
present the use of the cooking pots has been adversely affected by the introduction of
cheap crockery, enamelled iron, and copper vessels. It is probable that this competition
of European vessels has at some time in the recent past broken up a third great center of
pottery manufacture which distributed red-ware cooking pots all over Egypt.
The phenomena presented by the distribution of pottery in the graves of ancient Egypt
correspond approximately to these modern conditions. In the New Kingdom the two chief
wares are the drab and the red, and these were distributed in identical forms and sizes
from one end of Egypt to the other. Certain forms of bearers, bowls, and jars occur in
both wares, while many other forms are peculiar to one or the other. I have no doubt that
the ancient drab wares were made at Keneh and Ballas, where the same materials are found
today and where the climatic conditions are most favorable to the manufacture. The red
ware was probably localized in the same way, possibly at Abu-’s-Se’ud, but modern con-
ditions have deprived us of the material which might indicate the exact district. A third
common ware (W. S. R.) shows us that the drab wares were imitated by laying a whitish or
drab slip over a red ware, and indicates that the drab wares were more highly regarded.
In older periods similar conditions may be shown to have existed as far back as the Pre-
dynastic Period. I conclude that the manufacture of Egyptian pottery was a widely spread
craft practiced in every home, but especially productive in a few districts favored by sources
of material, climatic conditions, and craft traditions, and that the greater part of the
ancient pottery was distributed from these centers of manufacture by river transport.
Functionally the ancient Egyptian vessels serve the simple uses of a primitive agricul-
tural people. Large jars and great basins, too heavy to be carried when filled, were kept
in one place in the house or courtyard for the storage of wine, beer, grain, cheese, pickled
cucumbers, or water. Portable jars of medium size were used for carrying water, and it is
interesting to note that for this, which is largely woman’s work, a smaller size of jar is now
made for little girls to carry. Small jars were used for water, honey, oil, etc. The drink-
ing vessels for water, beer, or wine were small jars, beakers, and bowls, and in certain periods
one form of drinking vessel had a long spout from which the liquid was drunk. Bowls and
basins were used for milk, cheese, and fish, as well as for cooked vegetables such as beans
and greens. Cooking pots and basins are also indispensable, and while meat, stews, and
soups are often eaten by poor people directly from the pot, they are frequently also poured
out into the ordinary bowls and basins. Flat pans and platters, both of pottery and basket-
work, served for bread and for vegetables which were eaten uncooked, such as onions.
Cosmetics, such as kohl, were carried in small alabaster or pottery jars, and perfumed oils
and fats, in slightly larger jars of the same materials. Besides the vessels used for the
necessities of daily life, there were also various special vessels used in the crafts, such as
jars and basins for brewing, tanning, and dyeing, but these are distinguishable only by
means of the representations in the sculptures.
Such is the simple equipment of pottery necessary to the needs of a primitive commu-
nity. When an unusual necessity arises, for which no special vessel exists, the handiest
vessel is taken of those ordinarily employed for other purposes. But ancient pottery was
considerably affected by another function — that of serving the life after death, as well