About Some Types of Black Polished Ceramics from Medieval Settlements in the South Aral Sea Region

Abstract

The spread of high-quality non-glazed ceramics testifies to the development of ceramic craft in the South Aral Sea region of the medieval period. The morphological features and functional purpose of grey-clay ceramics with black polishing: jugs, pot-shaped vessels and tripod dishes are mainly described. Types, forms and especially ornaments and their analogies in comparison with other regions of this period are analyzed. High-quality pottery served as a household inventory in the medieval feudal life of the South Aral Sea region settlements. Some types of high-quality ceramics were exported from settlements of the mentioned region to neighboring territories. This led, on the one hand, to the widespread use of vessels with black polishing in everyday life, on the other hand, had an influence on the development of local ceramic craft. The mass of the material indicates that in the medieval South Aral Sea region settlements there were several ceramic workshops, producing high-quality products for both external and internal markets.

Keywords

• archaeology
• south aral sea region
• khwarazm
• black-polished ceramics
• typology
• functional purpose
• ornaments
• distribution area