Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (331 page)
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impressed decoration
[De].
[De].
A general term referring to ornamentation on ceramic vessels made by pressing objects or materials into the vessel walls while the clay is still soft. Common forms of impression include the serrated edges of sea shells, the ends of bones or sticks, fingernails, thumbnails, pieces of stick, notched combs, twisted cord, knotted cord, or string (also known as whipped cord), etc.
Stamped decoration
is a special form of impressed decoration, more common from the 1st millennium
bc
onwards than in earlier times.
Stamped decoration
is a special form of impressed decoration, more common from the 1st millennium
bc
onwards than in earlier times.
impressed ware
[Ar].
[Ar].
1
Distinctive pottery used by the first farmers of the western Mediterranean from the east coast of Italy to southern Spain in the period 5000–3500 bc. The pottery is usually dark-surfaced and is extensively decorated with impressions made with the serrated edge of cardium shells. Such ceramics are sometimes referred to as
CARDIAL WARES
. Other methods of decoration include impressions made with the fingers, sticks, and other tools. The pottery forms are generally simple and include bowls and open-mouthed storage vessels. Stentinello ware in Sicily and Ghar Dalam ware in Malta represent specialized versions of impressed ware.
2
Early style of ceramics found in North Africa, perhaps originating in the Sahara or Sudan region.
3
The term is sometimes used in a very general sense with reference to the highly decorated wares of the later Neolithic in the British Isles and northern Europe; the predominance of various kinds of cord impressions on these wares means that they are better referred to as part of the very widespread
corded ware
tradition of the 3rd and early 2nd millennium
bc
.
Distinctive pottery used by the first farmers of the western Mediterranean from the east coast of Italy to southern Spain in the period 5000–3500 bc. The pottery is usually dark-surfaced and is extensively decorated with impressions made with the serrated edge of cardium shells. Such ceramics are sometimes referred to as
CARDIAL WARES
. Other methods of decoration include impressions made with the fingers, sticks, and other tools. The pottery forms are generally simple and include bowls and open-mouthed storage vessels. Stentinello ware in Sicily and Ghar Dalam ware in Malta represent specialized versions of impressed ware.
2
Early style of ceramics found in North Africa, perhaps originating in the Sahara or Sudan region.
3
The term is sometimes used in a very general sense with reference to the highly decorated wares of the later Neolithic in the British Isles and northern Europe; the predominance of various kinds of cord impressions on these wares means that they are better referred to as part of the very widespread
corded ware
tradition of the 3rd and early 2nd millennium
bc
.
Impressed Ware Culture
[CP].
[CP].
The early Neolithic communities of the Mediterranean coast of Europe, named after the practice of ornamenting pottery with impressions of cardium shells and other items (
IMPRESSED WARE
). Though there is evidence for the introduction of agriculture, hunting and fishing remained an important aspect of the culture, and its stone and flint industries retained some characteristic Mesolithic types. Generally dated to the period 5000–3500 bc. Early sites tend to be in caves and rock-shelters or, on the coast, associated with shell middens. Sheep are the main domesticated animal species. In the later stages open settlements become common and in Italy these are enclosed by ditch systems (the so-called
villaggi trincerati
). Other types of pottery are found alongside the impressed wares at this stage, including fine red painted ware in Italy.
IMPRESSED WARE
). Though there is evidence for the introduction of agriculture, hunting and fishing remained an important aspect of the culture, and its stone and flint industries retained some characteristic Mesolithic types. Generally dated to the period 5000–3500 bc. Early sites tend to be in caves and rock-shelters or, on the coast, associated with shell middens. Sheep are the main domesticated animal species. In the later stages open settlements become common and in Italy these are enclosed by ditch systems (the so-called
villaggi trincerati
). Other types of pottery are found alongside the impressed wares at this stage, including fine red painted ware in Italy.
Imseti
[Di].
[Di].
Egyptian god, one of the four sons of
HORUS
. Human-headed; a model of his head was often used as the stopper of the canopic jar containing the liver.
HORUS
. Human-headed; a model of his head was often used as the stopper of the canopic jar containing the liver.
Inanna
[Di].
[Di].
Sumerian deity, the queen of heaven, who was the daughter of Nanna and the goddess of love and war, and also of storehouses and rain. Closely associated with Warka and roughly equivalent to the
AKKADIAN
Ishtar.
AKKADIAN
Ishtar.
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