The origins of decorated ostrich eggs in the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East
Resource type
Journal article
Creator (person)
Hodos, Tamar
Cartwright, Caroline R.
Montgomery, Janet
Nowell, Geoff
Crowder, Kayla
Fletcher, Alexandra C.
Gà¶nster, Yvonne
Date published
2020
Abstract
Decorated ostrich eggs were traded around the Mediterranean during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Research on their origins has focused primarily on decorative techniques and iconography to characterise the producers, workshops and trade routes, thereby equating decorative styles with cultural identities and geographic locations. This is problematic, as craftspeople were mobile and worked in the service of foreign royal patrons. The present study investigates the provenance of ancient ostrich eggs, reconsiders trade patterns via isotopic indicators and characterises decorative techniques in order to assist in the identification of culturally distinct decorative styles or regional preferences.
Creator (organisation)
Hodos, Tamar
Cartwright, Caroline R.
Montgomery, Janet
Nowell, Geoff
Crowder, Kayla
Fletcher, Alexandra C.
Gà¶nster, Yvonne
Project(s)
The origins of decorated ostrich eggs in the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East
Editor
Fletcher
Journal title
Antiquity
Volume
94
Publisher
Antiquity Publications
ISSN
0003-598X
eISSN
1745-1744
Official URL