Pottery Bowl Artifact

The Pottery Bowl Artifact is made of red clay and was discovered in Tayma Governorate, located in Tabuk Province, north of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It dates back to the early first millennium BCE. The bowl is fairly pure, with both surfaces painted in a yellowish-white color. The decoration features opposing and alternating triangles with uncolored centers, formed by a zigzag double line intersected by horizontal lines arranged vertically. Inside each large triangle is a smaller colored triangle, its apex aligned with that of the larger uncolored triangle. Above this is an uncolored horizontal band, followed by a band intersected by vertically oriented lines, then another uncolored band, followed by a wide band filled with a tightly-knit mesh pattern, and finally an uncolored wide band.

The outer rim of the ancient pottery bowl is painted black. Below the band of opposing and alternating triangles, there is an uncolored band, followed by a band intersected by vertical lines. Next is a band divided into vertical columns forming rectangles, within which horizontally opposing triangles are present. Below this is a band filled with connected arches, followed by a repetition of uncolored opposing triangles, then a band filled with connected arches, followed by a band featuring a pattern resembling a chessboard. This is succeeded by another repetition of uncolored opposing triangles, then a band of connected arches, then another repetition of uncolored opposing triangles, then another band filled with arches, and then a repetition of horizontally opposing triangles. Following this is an empty band, then another band filled with arches, and finally, the outer base rim is painted brown.

The clay bowl dates back to the era of the Midian civilization and was used for storing food and beverages. Its discovery is among the results of archaeological surveys and excavations conducted by the Antiquities and Museums sector in Saudi Arabia over the years, as well as the findings of Saudi archaeologists and scientific expeditions.

The bowl is registered under number 151 and is preserved in the National Museum in Riyadh City. It was also among the artifacts showcased in the Saudi Archeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition.

Height: Twenty-two cm.

Opening diameter: Thirty-two cm.

Base diameter: Fourteen cm.

Thickness: Five mm.

This bowl holds great cultural significance, as its handmade decorations indicate a civilizational connection with various regions, including Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Persia. The patterns adorning this vessel are also found on artifacts from these regions, highlighting the historical depth of the ancient settlement of Tayma.