Abstract

Fruit of collaboration between EFA and UMR 5060 of CNRS, the programme of study of the ancient Amathusian pottery concerned various aspects of the craft, from the use of raw materials to the techniques for making vases. This article deals with methods of decoration, specifically three typically Amathusian styles : 'Blackened', 'Bichrome Amathusian' and an imitation of the black-figure technique. The scientific analyses throw into relief the expertise of Amathusian potters and painters who, by playing with a number of simple techniques, notably firing methods, successfully renewed the Cypriot repertoire without breaking free of the traditional manufacturing methods.