The characterisation of ceramic production from the central Levant and Egyptian trade in the Pyramid Age

A recent petrographic study of ceramic jars from Giza imported into Egypt during the 4th Dynasty Pyramid Age (c. 2613–2494 BCE) identified original production zone as Lebanese coast generally between Beirut and Tripoli, including region Byblos. The their contents were to by maritime trade expeditions conducted at behest Egyptian state. This analyses a selection these samples using ICP-AES -MS for comparison with published data results not only confirmed underlying petrography, but together new evidence Lebanon suggests vessels likely belonged specialised workshop in Byblos environs made specifically export Egypt. finding sheds light on relationship state polity Early Bronze Age, indicating presence standardised local commodity procurement mechanisms tailored needs large entity. turn delivered significant prestige status elites an environment competitive peer-polity interactions.