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Modern and Ancient Pottery Traditions in the el-Zuma and Karima Region in Sudan: An Introduction to Comparative Studies (Pots Project)

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Abstract

The “Pots Project” documents and studies modern pottery workshops in Sudan, in the area of el-Zuma and Karima, which is the core area investigated by the Early Makuria Research Project (EMRP) of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw (PCMA) researching the beginnings of the Kingdom of Makuria. This interim presentation discusses observations from two modern workshops in El-Dahasyra and Karima, among others, both making traditional handmade pottery. Documentation of the processes involved, including telltale traces on vessel surfaces, like impressed textile patterns on bottoms and pebble-beating, have already given insight into ancient pottery production techniques. A comparison of these results with the recorded evidence from an abundant assemblage excavated by the EMRP Project in the tumulus tombs of el-Zuma enables the authors to point out and discuss similarities and differences between ancient and modern vessels.

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Acknowledgments

The “Pots Project” is a sideline of the Early Makuria Research Project (EMRP). EMRP is a joint mission of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of Warsaw (PCMA) and the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM) financed by PCMA and by the Qatar–Sudan Archaeological Project (QASP).

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Correspondence to Ewa Czyżewska-Zalewska.

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Czyżewska-Zalewska, E., Kowarska, Z. Modern and Ancient Pottery Traditions in the el-Zuma and Karima Region in Sudan: An Introduction to Comparative Studies (Pots Project). Int J Histor Archaeol 24, 571–588 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10761-019-00524-9

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