Bread Mould Potmarks from a Protodynastic and Early Dynastic Site in the Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract

This article focuses on potmarks from the Western, Eastern and Central Koms of the Tell el-Farkha site. They date back to the Protodynastic and Early Dynastic periods (up until the 1st Dynasty) and are associated with Phases 4 and 5 of the settlement. 91 of the potmarks have been identified and analysed. They were all incised on wet clay and covered either the inside or outside walls of bread moulds. 16 categories of patterns have been distinguished: cross, criss-cross, vertical and horizontal line combination, horizontal line, vertical line, curvilinear line, rectangular-like shape, animal-like shape, plant-like shape, star-like shape, arch-like shape, radial wheel shape, strokes on the rim, V-shaped sign, circle and semi-circle.