Reconfigurations in Levantine Amphorae: Tracing Continuities and Innovations from the Late Bronze

During the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age in the coastal Levant, significant political, social, and economic transformations took place, leaving a lasting imprint on material culture. Despite these changes, the amphora repertoire exhibits considerable continuity in forms and typologies throughout this transitional period. However, notable distinctions emerge between the repertories of the northern Levant and those of the central-southern Levant, suggesting regional differences in commercial and cultural dynamics. This paper examines both the elements of continuity, which testify to the persistence of established traditions and practices, and the innovations that emerge through changes in the forms and production techniques of amphorae. These shifts are interpreted within the broader socio-economic context of the Bronze-Iron Age transition, with particular focus on the transformations in trade networks that marked this period. By analysing the amphorae as an indicator of these changes, this study aims to better understand the interactions between different regions of the Levant and the external influences that shaped the material culture of this crucial period.