Oases in the desert of Arabia created 'brands' in the Bronze Age
Archaeologists have discovered that Bronze Age pottery from the oasis of Qurayyah in Arabia functioned as a 'brand' 3,200 years ago. The study reveals that these ancient communities were highly integrated into regional trade networks, challenging previous assumptions about their marginalization.
Why it matters
This discovery provides new insights into the history of branding and economic complexity in ancient non-capitalist societies.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Ancient "brand" Qurayyah Painted Ware QPW 4, formerly known as 'Midianite Pottery' Credit: Marta Luciani, Qurayyah Joint Archaeological Project CCBY 4.0 Did brands exist before modern society, in noncapitalist economies? An international team led by Marta Luciani of the University of Vienna has made unexpected discoveries about Bronze Age trade: Yes, brands did indeed exist 3,200 years ago. Findings from the oasis of Qurayyah in northwestern Arabia offer unprecedented insights into the production of two-color painted pottery.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in