Ceramic Imports from Al-Andalus to the Levant
From the 7th to the 12th century, Islamic culture in the Levant was flourishing. Ramla and Taburiyya were founded as provincial capitals, Jund al-Filastin and Jund al-Urdunn respectively. During these periods architecture, arts and especially ceramic production flourished in the area. There were large ceramic production centers in Ramla and Tiberias. Besides the locally produced vessels there were also imported vessels from Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt and as far as China. Based on these premises the idea of investigating the relations between Al-Andalus and the Levant made sense. However, no ties could be discerned during these periods, no ceramics made or imported from Al-Andalus were found in Ramla, Tiberias or other sites with Early Islamic occupation. Because of this, the time frame was extended from the 12th to the 15th century. The archaeological evidence of vessels that can be identified as coming from Al-Andalus is meager and consists mainly of large jars. In the presentation the data from the survey of Medieval material from Al-Andalus will be presented. The use of the identified vessels discussed and questions raised to what extent vessels from Al-Andalus reached/or not the Levant.
