Local and imported pottery in the Neolithic Gulf: a new perspective from the site of Bahra 1 in Kuwait

Abstract

The paper presents a new perspective on pottery traditions in the Gulf during the Neolithic period, based on new data from the Ubaid-related site of Bahra 1 in Kuwait. The site yielded an assemblage containing several different pottery types, classified as Ubaid Ware and Coarse Red Ware. These pottery groups were varied in many aspects: morphological types, technology, and provenance. Their main characteristics and cultural context are discussed, as well as the cross--pottery connections. The significance of these ceramic vessels for the Gulf population and their socio-economic context are also considered in this paper, given the new evidence from Bahra 1

Keywords

• Neolithic
• Persian/Arabian Gulf
• Ubaid
• pottery
• Bahra 1