Ceramic evidence for sugar production in the ‘Akko plain: Typology and provenance studies
Résumé
Excavations and surveys at five sites in the ‘Akko plain revealed evidence of sugar production from the 11th to the 17th centuries. Three of these are the subjects of a multidisciplinary study within the POMEDOR project. The results show typo-chronological development of the sugar molds, and the transfer of workshops from the coastal area under Crusader rule farther inland during the Mamluk period. This change coincides with the transfer of government from ‘Akko to Safed, and archaeological and archaeometric investigations provide clear indications of the active involvement of the central government in sugar production.