Achaemenid Influence on Egyptian Pottery: New Evidence from Memphis

Abstract

The authors analyse new pottery finds from recent excavations of the Centre for Egyptological Studies (Russian Academy of Sciences [CES RAS]) at Memphis. Three groups of archaeological material present particular interest for our discussion: 14 fragments of high-necked bowls, 33 beakers, and one table amphora. All these vessels were produced using Egyptian clays, but their shapes imitate Persian types. Comparison of these new finds with Near Eastern parallels provides insights into aspects of the political agenda of the Achaemenid rulers of Egypt and the extent of cultural interaction and exchange in the 6th-4th c. BCE. The article includes a catalogue of the new pottery (with detailed descriptions, dates, archaeological contexts, and drawings), and a catalogue of the clays that were used in their production.