The pottery, raw materials, and production facilities from Qurayyah in northwestern Arabia are studied using archaeometric and geoarchaeological methods. The aim is to assess production organization and define exchanges with the Greater Levant. This research will enhance our understanding of the economic structure of a desert oasis during the Bronze and Iron Ages, while also inspiring modern decision-making strategies in the face of climate challenges.
Qurayyah lies on the eastern foothills of the Hejaz mountains in northwest Saudi Arabia, along an ancient trade route that connected Yemen to the Levant. Permanent settlement at the site began in the Early Bronze Age, around the early 3rd millennium BCE. Over time, Qurayyah developed into a prosperous stone-walled oasis, supported by an advanced surface water harvesting system. Its wealth was further boosted by local metallurgy and long-distance trade. Among the site’s most remarkable discoveries is a fully preserved pottery workshop, complete with kilns, workspaces, and structures for raw material processing.
The ceramic assemblages under investigation span over 2 millennia, from the 26th century BCE to the 1st quarter of the 4th century BCE, corresponding to the Early Bronze Age Ib and Late Iron Age. This broad timespan is evident in the diversity of the ceramic repertoire, featuring variations in shapes, forming techniques, surface treatments, and decorations. Notably, it tracks the introduction and evolution of rotating devices for shaping vessels, alongside the increasing prominence of painted ceramics. A key objective is to understand how these changes impacted the procurement and processing of raw materials. Special attention is given to the ›Qurayyah Painted Ware‹, previously known as ›Midianite Pottery‹, which dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE and has been found from northwestern Arabia to Jordan and the southern Levant. By incorporating samples from all these areas, this project aims to clarify the ongoing debate about its origin.
The methodology integrates analyses at the macro-, meso- and microscopic levels: (1) Non-destructive examination of manufacturing procedures; (2) Thin-section petrography of vessels and test briquettes made of local raw materials, to reconstruct raw material procurement and paste preparation modes; (3) Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) of vessels and wasters, to establish Qurrayah´s geochemical fingerprint; (4) micromorphological analysis of structures and facilities used during production steps (e.g., decantation, firing), to provide insight into the organization of labor along the production chain.
This project has the potential to offer key insights into how ancient communities managed scarce resources in arid environments like desert oases, where water, clay, and fuel are limited. It will highlight the adaptability and resilience of these human groups in overcoming environmental challenges. Moreover, the research may inform modern discussions on sustainable resource management and decision-making in similarly challenging climates.
since 2020
