260 Encounters Beyond the Caucasus

Plain, at Sos Höyük, in the first phase at Karaz (9.99–6.50 m), in the graves dug by Pchelina at Kiketi, at Mokhra Blur 9–11, and at Geoy K1.

Chobareti vessels have fine-grained clay that is well fired to shades of pale brown. In time, the quantity of red-black pottery increased. Sherds have crosssections that clearly reveal their mode of manufacture.Vessels were mostly built up with coils, though some containers were constructed using slabs of clay that were applied to a sand-filled cloth bag, whose textile impressions are sandwiched at the centre of the biscuit. Both types of manufacture leave lumpy surfaces that are given a perfunctory polish (small vessels), or left matte in the case of large jars. Surfaces regularly have a ‘leathery’ look.

Some characteristics are already familiar from the earliest phase – such as the pale brown colours and large tall-necked jars with rounded shoulders and a pair of handles. Unusual for this ware type is a holemouthed jar with a rounded thickened rim, which was no doubt borrowed from the chaff-tempered fabric of the Late Chalcolithic.This interface is seen at a few sites, including Kul Tepe (Hadishahr) Period V, where gritand chaff-tempered ceramics have been reported together in 3300 BC levels. Most vessels from Chobareti are undecorated, but some sherds bear broad, fl attened knobs, occasionally with deep dimples in the centre. The second category of Kura-Araxes is more refined. Its clay is compact and fine, well levigated, and fired hard, enabling the construction of thin-walled containers. Most tellingly, this group can be decorated with linear patterns incised after firing, a trait it shares with the group of early ceramics.

In time, cups and jars assumed a more biconical appearance, topped with a cylindrical neck and rail or out-turned rim. Loop handles are not common, and give way to a pair of rudimentary lug handles placed opposite each other at the base of the neck.

Bold decorations are a signature of this tradition (Figure 5.11(1–2)).163 The Georgian sites prefer plastic ornamentation, especially tight, double spirals which spring from a horizontal base line. Double spirals, though loose and separated by a vertical line, can be seen on containers from the earliest deposits at Karaz, Güzelova, and Amiranis Gora. Other patterns of this group include combinations of grooved circles and vertical lines, and impressed circles, sometimes fl anked by oblique lines or enclosed within a lozenge.

The Southern (Armenian) Tradition

Badalyan has provided a clear sequence for Armenia, which he groups into two coeval stylistic groups: Shresh-Mokhrablur and Karnut-Shengavit.164 This

163Ceramics from Dagestan can also have regional versions of bold relief decoration, but this north-western horizon remains difficult to place. On technical aspects, see Heinsch 2012.

164Badalyan 2014.