White Slip Ware of Ancient Cyprus
White Slip Ware is one of the most iconic and informative ceramic styles of ancient Cyprus. Spanning nearly four centuries, from the 16th to the 12th century BCE, this distinctive pottery style showcases the artistic prowess of ancient Cypriot craftsmen and serves as a valuable tool for understanding the island&aposs chronology, trade networks, and cultural interactions during the Late Bronze Age.
Evolution of White Slip Ware
Proto White Slip
The precursor to White Slip, Proto White Slip, emerged in the Middle Cypriot III period. It is characterized by the use of circles rather than dots in its designs. Archaeologists have identified two phases in Proto White Slip development:
- Phase 1: Strong links to the White Painted tradition of northwestern Cyprus
- Phase 2: More prolific, defining the start of the Late Cypriot IA:1 (1590 - 1550 BCE) period
White Slip I (WS I)
As Cyprus transitioned into the Late Cypriot IA:2 period (1550 - 1480 BCE), Proto White Slip evolved into the more refined White Slip I (WS I). Key features include:
- Use of dots instead of circles
- Introduction of new decorative motifs
- Subgroups based on rim motifs: Rope Lattice, Ladder Band, Double Line Framed, and Parallel Line
White Slip II (WS II)
The Late Cypriot IB period saw the emergence of White Slip II (WS II), representing the pinnacle of White Slip production. Characteristics include:
- "Ladder Lattice" motif
- Peak production during Late Cypriot IIA-B periods (1410 - 1340 BCE)
- Popular motifs: "Ladder Lattice Dotted Row" (LLDR) and "Ladder Lattice Hooked Chain" (LLHC)
Geographical Distribution and Trade
White Slip Ware has been found across the Eastern Mediterranean, demonstrating Cyprus's extensive trade networks:
- Cyprus: Enkomi, Toumba tou Skourou, Ayia Irini, Sanidha, Kalavasos Ayios Dhimitrios
- Aegean: Thera, Knossos
- Levant and Canaan: Tell el-'Ajjul
- Egypt: Tell el-Dab'a
- Anatolia: Miletus
- As far as Sicily and Libya
Decline and Legacy
White Slip Ware began to decline in quality and popularity during the 13th century BCE, attributed to:
- Increased competition from imported Mycenaean wares
- Changes in dining habits among the Cypriot elite
The final phase, sometimes called White Slip III or White Slip II Late, is marked by a deterioration in quality. By the end of the Late Cypriot IIC period (mid-12th century BCE), White Slip had largely disappeared, coinciding with broader cultural and political changes in the Eastern Mediterranean at the end of the Bronze Age.