Archaeologists Uncover 3,600-Year-Old Pottery Brand in Saudi Arabia, Revealing Ancient Trade Networks
Archaeological studies in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, have unearthed evidence of the Qurayyah Painted Ware, a distinctive two-colored ceramic ware dating back approximately 3,600 years. This pottery, produced in the Qurayyah oasis, was traded across vast distances, spanning hundreds of kilometers. Researchers from the University of Vienna conducted technological, petrographic, and geochemical testing on dozens of vessel fragments from a central kiln in Qurayyah, revealing remarkable consistency in raw material selection, shaping methods, and manufacturing techniques. The findings indicate that this pottery is the oldest known pottery brand in the world. Ancient forgeries of the ceramics have also been discovered in various locations, including Al-Ula and Barqa el-Hetiya in Jordan, underscoring the high reputation and value of the original ware. The production of this painted Qurayyah ware continued until the sixth century BCE, with research led by Marta Luciani significantly advancing the understanding of Bronze... 
