How did Early Bronze Age pottery styles change across Anatolia?

During the Early Bronze Age in Anatolia, pottery styles underwent significant evolution characterized by shifts in technique, decoration, and regional uniformity.1

Technical and Decorative Evolution

• Early Phases: Pottery was predominantly monochrome red or black. During the first and second phases, incised and white-painted decorations were common. In the southwest, fluting and ribbing became especially characteristic, often mimicking the appearance of metal vessels.1
• Technological Shift: The most significant innovation was the introduction of the potter’s wheel, which became widespread by the beginning of the third phase.1
• Later Phases: In the second phase, painted wares reappeared in central and southern areas. By the third phase, more distinct styles emerged, such as purple-on-orange ware with geometric designs in the Kültepe region and related polychrome wares in the Elazığ and Malatya regions.1

Regional Integration

The transition to the third phase (c. 2450 bce) saw a trend toward greater stylistic universality. Wheel-made plates and two-handled drinking vessels became common in western Anatolia and subsequently spread to central and southern regions, likely driven by increased trade and improved transport networks.1