This paper presents an analysis of glazes of vessels unearthed in archaeological excavation in the Vega of Granada (south-east Spain) and that can be dated between the 9 th and the 12 th centuries AD. The material analysed includes the first glazed ceramics produced in Al-Andalus after the Islamic occupation of the Peninsula. From a very early period (mid to late-9 th century) there is a coexistence of lead-alkaline monochrome (green and honey) glazed vessels, and of polychrome decorated (green, white and brown) tin-glazed, wares early examples of the so called green and manganese wares. From the 10th century onwards honey lead-alkaline glazed vessels often with manganese-painted decorations are found. The chemical composition of the ceramic pastes, glazes and decorations as well as of the microcrystallites present in the glazes is obtained from polished cross sections of the glazes by SEM-EDS, OM and EPM. Information about the materials and methods of production is discussed and compared to contemporary productions from other areas in Al Andalus and also to later productions.

No abstract

Studying the pottery produced in the Granada region between the eighth and eleventh centuries AD, the author describes a changing discourse of Roman and Islamic forms. This in turn can be held to reflect the changing social relations between conquerors and conquered. Social change in the early Islamic worldThe rise of Islam (AD 622-632) was almost immediately followed by a considerable expansion by way of conquest. In little more than a century (AD 632 to c . 750), the Dar al-Islam would stretch from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Indian borders in the east. Naturally, political dominion was foremost, while religious and social change would take longer to develop. Research to date points to native cultural continuity in the first years after the conquest, the conquerors keeping themselves separated from the