The pottery from a fifth century B.C. shipwreck at Ma'agan Michael, Israel

Abstract

Between 1988 and 1990 a shipwreck tentatively dated to the 5th century B.C. was excavated off the coast of Israel at Ma'agan Michael by Dr. Elisha Linder of the Center for Maritime Studies. This study presents one category of material from the Ma'agan Michael shipwreck: the pottery. The goal of this analysis is to provide an indication of the ship's date, origin, and route, as well as insights into shipboard life and the utilization of shipboard space. The majority of wares are personal items for shipboard use such as bowls, jars, jugs, lamps, and a cooking pot. Transport amphoras of the basket handle and "Persian" storage jar types are represented only in small numbers. The pottery can be dated from approximately 425 to 400 B.C. The distribution of ceramics throughout the ship suggests two main storage areas: one in the ship's stern for the storage of food preparation and cooking vessels and one just forward of the mast step associated with the ship's water jar. A number of vessels are common types known from Persian period strata along the Levantine coast although many vessels, especially the jugs, have good Cypriot parallels. Attic and East Greek(?) wares are represented by only a few examples. The predominance of Cypriot pottery common to the southern coast from Amathus to Kition suggests a west-east route from Cyprus to any number of Phoenician settlements along the coast of Syria-Palestine.