Provenance studies on marl clay pottery in Predynastic Egypt

本研究对埃及前王朝中期出现的泥质粘土陶器的来源进行了研究，其来源尚不清楚。年代观察、化学分析和考古发掘相结合的综合方法表明，当地的泥质粘土陶器比进口的黎凡坦陶器出现得更早，本土陶器的生产始于Qena-Ballas地区周围的某个地方，那里是至今埃及最大规模的钙质陶器生产基地。

This study researches on the provenance of marl clay pottery appearing in the mid of the Predynastic Egypt, the origin of which remains obscure. An integrated method composed of chronological observation, chemical analysis and archaeological excavations shows that the local marl clay pottery emerged earlier than imported Levantine pottery, and the indigenous production started at a certain place around Qena-Ballas area where even in the present, the calcareous pottery is manufactured at the largest scale in Egypt.