Towards a reassessment of Levantine and Egyptian jugs and juglets related to Cypriot Base Ring ware

International audience ; Cyprus’ insularity does not equate to isolation during the Cypriot Bronze Age. The discovery of a broad range ofCypriot wares in the Levant and in Egypt attests to their extensive trading connections with the island. As exchanges increase, local populations develop a growing interest in these exogenous vessels, especially Base Ring (BR) jugs and juglets. Soon, imitations develop as do new ceramics inspired by their distinctive shapes and decorative motifs. The dexterity and inventiveness of Levantine and Egyptian craftsmen lead to new productions of Cypriot-inspired or Cypriot-influenced vessels. Although most are made of clay, Cypriot BR shapes are occasionally transposed in other raw materials. Whereas Levantine productions offer a wide range of variations, Egyptian imitations reflect the area’s highly specialised trade with Cyprus. This paper investigates the various ways in which Cypriot BR shapes and motifs were adopted and adapted in both Egypt and the Levant and how they mirror the societies that produced them.