ABSTRACT
Ceramics constitute the largest group of archaeological finds. Their fragility when complete, and endurance through taphonomic processes once broken, qualify them as a reliable medium for archaeological interpretation. In the field of Sasanian ceramics, however, the stage of research seems far behind compared to subjects such as Greek or Roman pottery. The interpretation of such late ceramic assemblages proved to be difficult, though, even when processed and examined in the field, as the stratigraphy was frequently disturbed and the material itself inconspicuous. Ceramics formed the material bases of these surveys and served as a chronological indicator. Dependent on the chronological framework provided by stratified material, most of these, however, were impaired by the lack of a valid ceramic sequence. Many of the excavated sites showed a continuous sequence of multi-period occupation. The Sasanian levels were frequently enclosed between extensive earlier as well as later Islamic occupation.
