In the Shadow of Empires: The Circulation of Calcite Vessels between Egypt and the Levant during the 1st Millennium BCE

Abstract

This paper examines the circulation of calcite vessels between Egypt and the Levant from the 10th century BCE to the end of the Persian era. It begins with a brief discussion of the terminology, geological sources, and production sites associated with these vessels. The analysis then focuses on their circulation during two distinct periods.
The first period, spanning from the 10th to the mid-8th century BCE, saw the exchange of large calcite jars – often inscribed with royal inscriptions – primarily as royal gifts between Egypt and the Levant. In contrast, the second period, beginning in the 7th century BCE, witnessed the widespread distribution of small, portable calcite alabastra, driven by the intensification of trade across the Mediterranean and Near East. Based on this evidence, I will argue that the circulation of calcite vessels in the first period was primarily shaped by gift exchange practices, while the second period marked a transition to a market-oriented framework, which also spurred local production of calcite bowls in the Levant. This shift can be linked to the rise of large territorial empires in the broader Near East.