The Foreign Relations of the "Hyksos": A Neutron Activation Study of Middle Bronze Age Pottery from the Eastern Mediterranean (Bar International Series)

New: 2020 preface with links to additional, updated material. This NAA study of Syro-Palestinian pottery types found at Tell el-Dab‘a/Avaris is important from the perspective it provides on economic and social developments at what has been identified as the capital of the “Hyksos” in the north eastern Nile Delta during the period from the late Middle Kingdom through the Second Intermediate Period. As well as opening up a new sight-line on the pottery industry at Tell el-Dab‘a / Avaris, this study is also extremely important in refining hypotheses and conclusions based on pottery analyses, and, indeed, the author presents his case for a radical rethink in the light of these NAA findings. Illustrated throughout. Patrick Mcgovern Completes The Work Started By Joan Huntoon On The Origins, Distribution, And Trade Of Middle Bronze Canaanite Jars Or Amphoras. After Subjecting Her Compiled Naa Data To The Standard Battery Of Tests Provided By Brookhaven Programs, It Was Discovered That Much Of The Tell El-dabʼa Pottery Of Syro-palestinian Type Had Been Produced In Southern Palestine And Exported To The Nile Delta. The Statistical Results Were Subjected To More Rigorous Analysis Through The Hyksos Neutron Activation Analysis Project. In Cooperation With Other Labs, Mcgovern Also Expanded The Naa Database To Include A Range Of Auxiliary Naa Projects Which Enabled Local Chemical Reference Groups To Be Established For Numerous Other Sites Of The Ancient Near East, Including: Amman, Ashkelon, The Baqʼah Valley Sites Of Jordan, Beth Shan, Kabri, Tell Mardikh/ebla, Tell Abu Al-kharaz, Tell Es-saʼidiyeh, Thebes And More Recently Tell El-fukhar. Many Of These Analyses Are Yet Unpublished, (except For Ashkelon, Ebla, Tell El-fukhar, And Thebes In Appendix 2), But Provide The Essential Framework For Evaluating The Imports Of Tell El-dabʼa And Enter Into The Discussion Of This Volume To Some Extent. Cf. Foreword. Introduction -- The Canaanite Jars (amphoras) -- The Polished Vessels -- The Painted Vessels / Patrick E. Mcgovern, Tine Bagh -- Miscellaneous Vessels -- Conclusions And Synthesis -- Illustrations And Sample Data -- Plates -- Appendix 1: Catalogue Of Neutron Activation Analysis Samples From Tell El-dabʼa -- Appendix 2: Catalogue Of Neutron Activation Analysis Samples From Other Sites And Regions -- Appendix 3: Tables Of Neutron Activation Analysis Data For Local Groups And Other Samples. Patrick E. Mcgovern ; With A Contribution By Tine Bagh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 87-96). Front Cover Title Page Copyright Frontispiece Contents PREFACE (2020) PREFACE (2000) FOREWORD LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF PLATES LIST OF TABLES Chapter I. INTRODUCTION Chapter II. THE CANAANITE JARS (AMPHORAS) Chapter III. THE POLISHED VESSELS Chapter IV. THE PAINTED VESSELS Chapter V. MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS Chapter VI. CONCLUSIONS AND SYNTHESIS ABBREVIATIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY ILLUSTRATIONS AND SAMPLE DATA APPENDIX 1. CATALOGUE OF NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS SAMPLES - TELL EL-DAB‘A, IN ORDER OF SAMPLE NUMBER APPENDIX 2. CATALOGUE OF NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS SAMPLES - OTHER SITES AND REGIONS, IN ORDER OF SAMPLE NUMBER' APPENDIX 3. TABLES OF NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS DATA FOR LOCAL GROUPS AND OTHER SAMPLES The use of Neutron Activation Analysis opens up enormous possibilities for studying and identifying the chemical composition of clays from pottery vessels and, subsequently, for investigating the origins and possible place of manufacture for these vessels. This publication and the research on which it is based, completes the work of Joan Huntoon whose dissertation focused on the origins, distribution and trade of Middle Bronze Canaanite Jars, with the site of Tel el-Dab`a featuring prominently. Patrick McGovern uses Huntoon's programme of NAA analyses in making inferences on the production, movement and trade of Canaanite jars, polished, painted and other vessels around the Near East and Aegean.