UCy announces ASTeR project for study of Late Cypriot Bronze Age White Slip ware

The University of Cyprus has announced the launch of the ASTeR project for the study of the ceramic style of the Late Cypriot Bronze Age, known as White Slip ware, with Dr Artemis Georgiou, Assistant Research Professor at the Archaeological Research Unit, as the scientific supervisor.

It notes that Dr. Georgiou’s “innovative proposal” secured €119,994 in funding for the interdisciplinary study of archaeological remains from Cyprus following the success of her proposal for the study of Cypriot ceramics of the Late Bronze Age (1650-1100 BC) within the framework of the ASTeR project, through the ‘Islands of Excellence’ programme of the RIF.  

The ASTeR project (Archaeology of Style, Technology and Resilience: An integrated study of White Slip ware and ceramic regionalism in Late Bronze Age Cyprus), it said, focuses on the study of the characteristic ceramic style of the Late Cypriot Bronze Age, known as White Slip ware.

It adds that these are handmade objects, with characteristic white coating and black decoration in geometric patterns, which refer to the decoration of textiles or embroidery.

Despite being handmade, it said, these earthenware “were extremely widespread, both in Cyprus and in states of the eastern Mediterranean, where they are found in large numbers,” it adds. Dr Georgiou said that White Slip ware “is the hallmark of Cypriot material culture of the 2nd millennium BC and constitutes a fundamental tool for understanding the societies of the time,” it notes.

The aim of the ASTeR project, it said, is the interdisciplinary study of White Slip ware, guided by the typological-chronological evolution of the style and local, stylistic variations.

“The programme also attempts to clarify the local production and manufacturing techniques of White Slip ware vessels,” it adds.

According to the press release, the research adopts an interdisciplinary methodological approach, combining traditional archaeological methods with modern techniques, such as petrographic and chemical analyses of building clay, radiographic examinations, 3D imaging, as well as experimental archaeology and ethnography.

“The results of ASTeR are expected to enrich our knowledge of prehistoric Cyprus and its links, while contributing to cultural and social dialogue,” it adds.

It also notes Cyprus’ Department of Antiquities “is an important partner” of the programme, while that the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI) and international partners, such as the Fitch Laboratory of the British School at Athens, also participate in the project.

For more information about the project: www.ucy.ac.cy/aster

(Source: CNA)