Buto, in the western Egyptian Delta, is mainly known for its pre- and
protohistoric occupations, currently being explored by the Deutsches
Archaologisches Institut (Cairo). In order to investigate the
Graeco-Roman and Byzantine settlement, partly revealed by the Egypt
Exploration Society (EES) in the 1960s, a program was launched in 2001,
directed by Pascale Ballet. In the north east of the site, the EES had
excavated a pottery workshop yielding a black polished ware, influenced
by Mediterranean black glazed wares. Using topographical and geophysical
surveys from 2001, the excavations in the northern part of the city,
conducted from 2002 to 2004, unearthed two main kinds of workshops and
productions from the Early Roman period. The first one, entirely new,
produced imitations of sigillata using tubes, like in Italy and Gaul, to
enable the hot gases to go through the stack of pots preventing any
contact with them. It is a significant example of a transfer of
technology from the Western Mediterranean area, without excluding an
Eastern influence. The second type of workshop, also entirely new, was
devoted to common wares, sometimes with painting, heralding the style of
the Late Roman/Byzantine period. Buto was probably one of the most
active centers for pottery production in the Delta during the
Graeco-Roman period, and the discovery of technology previously unknown
in Egypt is a new contribution to the history of pottery manufacture in
the East Mediterranean area. The present study presents latest findings
and samples.
