Nuzi ware

Nuzi ware refers to a distinctive type of pottery produced in the mid-second millennium BCE at the site of Nuzi (modern Yorghan Tepe) in northeastern Iraq. These ceramics are notable for their fine craftsmanship, delicate shapes, and painted decorations.

The characteristics of Nuzi ware include thin walls, carinated (angular) profiles, and a buff-colored fabric. The painted decorations are typically monochrome, usually brown or black, and applied over a cream or light-colored slip. Common motifs include geometric designs, such as bands, zigzags, triangles, and sometimes stylized floral or animal forms.

Nuzi ware is often found in domestic contexts and graves, suggesting its use in daily life and funerary rituals. It is considered a valuable diagnostic tool for archaeologists, helping to date and identify contemporary sites and cultural interactions in the ancient Near East. The presence of Nuzi ware at other sites indicates trade and cultural exchange between Nuzi and other regions.

While the name derives from the prominent site of Nuzi, similar pottery has been found at other locations in northern Mesopotamia and surrounding areas, suggesting a broader production and distribution network. However, the term "Nuzi ware" is generally reserved for the pottery sharing the specific characteristics found at the original Nuzi excavation.