Late Roman imported red slip ware in the Metelis region (Alexandria, Egypt)

Abstract

AbstractThe study of red slip ware (RSW) imports in the Metelis region was bolstered by the significant presence of fine wares at the site of Kom al-Ahmer. The ancient town is located 44 km southeast of Alexandria. The study of the pottery is based on over 32,000 sherds, of which 472 are fine ware and 364 are imports from the Mediterranean basin and Upper Egypt. The flow of imported fine wares reflects the political events affecting Africa Proconsularis, in particular the invasion of the Vandals. Imports from Africa represent almost a monopoly on fine pottery imports through the first half of the fifth century. After the invasion, these were significantly reduced. However, there was no decline in the number of imported vessels and, from the mid-fifth century onwards, a considerable amount of Cypriot RSW and a smaller quantity of examples from Upper Egypt could be found. Thus, the change in pottery imports involved their areas of origin. After the Byzantine Empire conquered the North African region, pottery imports from Africa resumed in many Mediterranean contexts. This does not seem to have been the case at Metelis, where Cypriot RSW remained dominant and the imports of Egyptian RSW A and Aswan fine ware increased.