Typology and Chronology of Ceramics of Bactra, Afghanistan 600 BCE-500 CE.

Abstract

Bactra was the capital of Bactria during the Achaemenid and Seleucid periods, as well as the capital city of the Graeco-Bactrian Empire. It remained one of the most populous cities in pre-Islamic Central Asia and was a center of trade along the Silk Route until its destruction by Genghis Khan in the 13th century CE. Despite its prominence, archaeological excavation has only recently reached its ancient phases. This dissertation presents a typology and chronological sequence of the ceramic corpus of Bactra found during the 2004-2008 excavations by the French Archaeological Delegation. It constitutes the results of my analysis of ca. 30 metric tons of pottery over four field seasons, a quantity that allowed for greater chronological and typological resolution than was previously possible. Thirteen common ceramic fabrics were identified, and 177 rim types and 40 base types were delineated. Subsequent statistical analysis of co-occurrence using multi-dimensional scaling produced a chronological sequence of six major phases, each with three subphases. Contextualization of these ceramic phases within the broader historico-political setting of Central Asia highlights several trends of Bactra’s ceramic traditions that have implications for understanding its role in the region. The previously unknown Achaemenid-era material from Bactra is largely homogenous with a narrow range of shapes, as well as consistent vessel dimensions and firing practices. The ceramics of the Hellenistic period exhibit significant functional and stylistic changes that are likely indicative of a shift in dining habits. The Hellenistic ceramics were similar in character to those of other large city sites in Bactria and Sogdiana, yet distinctly different from the elite Greek wares found at Ai Khanoum, suggesting that Ai Khanoum, not Bactra, is the outlier. Many ceramic aesthetics that were introduced during the Hellenistic period were retained and adapted in the Nomadic and Kushan periods. During the Kushan and Kushano-Sasanid periods a new standardization of forms, decoration, and production technique reasserted itself. In sum, this dissertation provides a more refined and accurate dating of Bactra and its environs and lays the groundwork for research on regional and long distance trade in the region.