7. Painted Bowl 

This handmade bowl is decorated with a geometric pattern, painted in red over a buff slip. It was also burnished (i.e. rubbed with a tool) to create a shimmering effect. The decoration, thin ‘eggshell’ walls, and lack of use-wear suggest a special function. ‘Eggshell’ pottery is primarily found in Lower Nubia and in small quantities, made for a limited clientele. Patterns were seldom repeated and identical vessels can rarely be found. Such fine vessels were probably made by specialized potters for the consumption of liquid goods (e.g. wine, beer) at a formal setting, such as feasts and funerals. It accompanied a female burial who had been provisioned with typical A-Group fine pottery, palettes and rubbing pebbles, as well as some Egyptian pottery.