900 - 600 BC Phrygians in central Anatolia.  By the 12th century, the Phrygians, as part of the Iron Age immigrations, were one of the main tribes that came to Anatolia after the collapse of the Hittites.   Artistically, the Phrygians were known for their colourful mosaic flooring, as well as, the geometric patterened terracotta panels which they used to decorate the roofs of their buildings.  The high level of workmanship seen in the geometric motifs of engraved metal vessels or wood inlaying techniques demonstrates that the Phrygians attained a high level of technology in woodwork as well as metallurgy.  Phrygians wheel-made pottery was either plain in colour or was decorated with rectangular, triangular, zig-zag lines, circles, checker board patterns or animal motifs.

Terracotta jug with painted decoration
from a royal tomb at Gordion.

e-mail: jane@karumtrading.com