On Early Bronze Age Levantine combed vessels: the view from the south

Abstract

In memory of Jean-Paul Thalmann This paper presents evidence relating to the Early Bronze Age combed vessels of southern Canaan, based mainly on data from Tel Yarmuth. Neglected in previous studies on ‘Combed Ware’, this evidence confirms that combing should be considered as merely a ‘geste technique’. It further suggests that combing and ‘Metallic Ware’ are two distinct aspects with a different spatial and chronological distribution. The practice of combing emerged during EB II in its original core area of northern Canaan and the central Levant, in a milieu of incipient urbanism. In EB III, it spread to southern Canaan, in a context of growing inter-regional exchanges, and to the northern Levant, in the framework of the development of maritime connections between Egypt, Byblos and Ebla.