Groundstone Tools of a Copper-Smiths’ Community: Understanding Stone-Related Aspects of the Early Bronze Age Site of Ashqelon Barnea

The function of the south-Levantine Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age basalt vessels bearing circumferential depressions: Insights from use-wear analyses

“…The urban economy of the Early Bronze Age evolves then from the materialistic achievements of the Chalcolithic, while restraining the symbolism inherent to the culture and turning it into an instrument of power [ 41 , 57 ]. Indeed, the continuity between these periods is noticeable mainly when looking into pragmatic aspects of subsistence–expressed through economic and food procurement strategies and diet, but also aspects of tool making and portable material culture such as the composition of ceramic assemblages, the Canaanean blade, and the basalt vessel industries [e.g., 2 , 3 , 36 , 37 , 41 , 58 – 61 ].…”

“…Unlike many other strongly symbolic elements of the Late Chalcolithic material culture, the basalt vessel industry maintained an exceptional level of production consistency and stylistic refinement over the transition to the Early Bronze Age. Both Late Chalcolithic ( Fig 1A–1C ) and Early Bronze Age ( Fig 1D and 1E ) basalt vessels are thus characterized by a high-level of artisanship and finishing, with morphological and decorative standardization [ 20 , 23 , 61 , 62 ]. The explanation for this remains unclear, but it most likely relates to the function (or functions) of these vessels and their social value.…”

“…Some of the typical Late Chalcolithic forms, like the full or fenestrated pedestals, disappeared [however see Fig 2 in 79 ], and flat-based vessels with flaring walls and thick bases became dominant, alongside other distinct types such as the four-handled vessels [ 65 and references therein]. The vessels are also sporadically distinguished by their rare decoration formed in relief (also called a ‘necklace’ pattern, characterized by a ‘crested ridge band’ [ 70 ] or chain of knobs encircling the rim [e.g., 61 , 62 , 70 ]. Despite these changes, the specialized basalt vessel industry continued to form an important part of the Early Bronze Age I craft [e.g., 61 , 62 , 70 ].…”

“…The vessels are also sporadically distinguished by their rare decoration formed in relief (also called a ‘necklace’ pattern, characterized by a ‘crested ridge band’ [ 70 ] or chain of knobs encircling the rim [e.g., 61 , 62 , 70 ]. Despite these changes, the specialized basalt vessel industry continued to form an important part of the Early Bronze Age I craft [e.g., 61 , 62 , 70 ].…”

“…The production technology, especially when applied to produce vessels this large and symmetrical, with proportionally thin walls, great level of surface refinement, and sophisticated decoration, was incredibly time consuming and required a great deal of skills and experience. Therefore, it seems that these vessels were likely manufactured by specialists in workshops, located at or near basalt sources, and circulated through complex distribution networks [e.g., 3 , 20 , 23 , 61 – 63 , 70 , 91 – 93 ].…”