Unveiling Regional Socio-economic Dynamics in the EB IB Southern Levant: The Case of the Gutter-Rim Bowls

Ceramic assemblages from Early Bronze IB sites in northern Israel are characterised by locally produced types of vessels. This contribution examines a specific bowl type referred to as the ‘Gutter-Rim Bowl’ (GRB), found in significant quantities in EB IB sites situated across the northern Coastal Plain, the Jezreel Valley and the central Jordan Valley. To understand the regional significance of GRBs, we have conducted a thorough analysis of their distribution and provenance by integrating existing and newly compiled databases. Petrographic results reveal a diverse range of raw materials used in the manufacturing of GRBs across most sites. Our findings suggest that the distribution pattern of GRBs is not solely dictated by practical utility, but is influenced by inter-regional relations among peer polities possibly engaged in competitive interactions. GRBs emerge as distinctive markers of local traditions tied to specific cultural and political entities, accounting for their prevalence in their respective territories. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural and socio-political dynamics shaping EB IB ceramic traditions in northern Israel.