Congres/symposium | Workshop
Clay in Common
- Datum
- donderdag 21 mei 2026 - vrijdag 22 mei 2026
- Bezoekadres
-
Van Steenis
Einsteinweg 2
2333 CC Leiden - Zaal
- F1.02
Building regional cooperation in Bronze Age pottery research in southeast Arabia
Pottery was a major technological innovation in early human societies, enabling durable storage, cooking, and transport, while also supporting the development of specialised skills. In West Asia, its emergence is closely linked to sedentary life and increasing social complexity. However, the study of early pottery in southeast Arabia (the Oman Peninsula) remains relatively underdeveloped. This is due to the region's shorter history of archaeological research, the later adoption of pottery (not until the Early Bronze Age), and ongoing challenges in establishing reliable chronological frameworks. Limited stratified excavations, scarce scientific dating, and inconsistent terminology have further hindered the integration of findings across projects. While detailed studies exist for individual sites, they are often isolated and do not yet provide a broader comparative understanding of pottery production and use across the region. As a result, our ability to reconstruct wider socioeconomic transformations—such as trade, cultural exchange, and technological transmission—remains restricted.
To address these challenges, Clay in Common will bring together specialists in Arabian ceramic studies to reflect on the current state of the field and develop collaborative strategies. Through thematic sessions, focused discussions, and methodological exchange, participants will identify key barriers to regional synthesis and explore new directions for cooperative research. The workshop aims to establish a clearer picture of pottery production, use, and distribution in Bronze Age southeast Arabia, while also laying the groundwork for sustained dialogue, shared typological frameworks, and long-term research partnerships.
Please note that in-person seating is limited. All talks will also be livestreamed via Zoom, allowing broader participation.
Further details, including the programme and location details, can be found on the event webpage.
The workshop is organised by Jennifer Swerida (Leiden University, the Netherlands) and Mathilde Jean (Paris Nanterre University, UMR 8068 TEMPS, France), with the support of the Fritz Thyssen Foundation.
We warmly invite you to join us in Leiden or online and contribute to this collaborative discussion.