The Middle and Late Byzantine Glazed Fine Wares

Abstract: This is a site by site description of the fine ware types found in 113 excavated sites in Greece, Turkey, Middle East, Black Sea, and Europe. The goal of the dataset is to capture the extent of glazed fine wares produced and exchanged between the above-stated regions between 1100 and 1300 C.E. The focus is on Byzantine glazed wares, although Italian and Syrian ware types of post-1200 date are also included. The dataset is based on excavation reports where recording practices vary. The excavation reports are listed under sources. The dataset gives an overview of the types, and where available, the numbers (or percentages) of glazed fine wares. Glazed fine wares often constitute less than 10 % of all the ceramic finds at a given site.

Methodological Notes: This dataset is based on excavation reports that use a wide variety of differing recording techniques of ceramic data. The dataset is valuable in terms of showing the geographical extent of Byzantine fine ceramic ware types produced and traded between ca. 1100-1300 C.E.

Potential Applications of the Data: The dataset can be used to assess glazed fine wares at sites included in the dataset. Please note that the latest sources used in the dataset were published in 2015; excavation reports published after that date are not included.

Related Publications: Please see under “Sources” in the dataset.