Early Syrian Bottles

Abstract

Near Eastern archaeologists are accustomed today to labelling as “Syrian bottles” various kinds of oil/perfume fasks that enjoyed a wide popularity in Syria during the 3rd millennium. Owing to the volatile nature of their contents and the lack of archeometric analysis it has not been possible so far to ascertain whether these vessels were scent or unguent vases. Whatever the case, since they have been found far afeld from the core region of production it is clear that they were a luxury item of long-distance trade and are thus today – if possible misattributions are discarded – a valuable indicator of exchange networks and for establishing synchronisms among distant areas of the ancient Near East.