Abstract

 Geologic investigation of the environment of Khirbat Faris reveals that the most suitable clay materials in the area for pottery production are from the marl-rich carbonate layers of the Upper Cretaceous sequence in the area. Petrographic analysis of the pottery from the Ayubid-Mamluk site shows two types of pottery according to provenance. Wheel thrown glazed pottery and wheel thrown cream slip ware appear to have been imported to the site whereas the hand-made geometrically painted ware and the black cooking wares appear to have been produced locally. Refiring tests of the locally produced pottery suggest relatively low temperature firing conditions.