Towards a New Reference Dataset for Northwest Arabian Pottery: A Preliminary Characterization of the Fabrics, Techniques, Shapes and Decoration of the Pre-Islamic Pottery From Dadan (Third Millennium bce–Early First Millennium ce)

Abstract

The site of Dadan, in the al-ʿUlā valley, is one of the major and longest-settled ancient oasis settlements in northwest Arabia. As part of the Saudi-French Dadan Archaeological Project (CNRS/RCU/AFALULA), a study of its pre-Islamic ceramic assemblage has been underway since 2020. This article presents the preliminary results obtained during the autumn 2021 and spring 2022 field seasons. Based on a macroscopic examination of excavation and survey material, 16 different macrofabrics were identified and characterized, and first clues to their associated manufacturing techniques and morphological/decorative repertoire were collected. Using stratigraphic data and regional comparisons, broad chronological ranges can be proposed for each of these productions, and five ceramic horizons, characterized by both local productions and imports, can be tentatively outlined, extending from the late third millennium bce to the early first millennium ce.