Type:  Amorite Plainware Bowl
Age: 2000-1600 BCE
Era: Middle Bronze Age 
Culture: Amorite
Excavated: Probably Northern Syria 

*On loan from the Llewelyn Collection


The Martu (AKA Amorite) were a nomadic group who generally lived in Syria near the Taurus Mountains. Their empire grew, taking over the Akkadian Empire and establishing Babylonia, under King Hammurabi. They are the decedents of Emer, Canaan's son. Canaan was fathered by Ham, the son of Noah.

As noted in the Biblical Quote above, the Amorites were among the tribal clans that the Israelites would need to face as they entered into the Promised Land. During the final stages of the Exodus, the Israelites found themselves warring with Sihon, King of the Amorites who ruled from the city of Heshbon. 

The Amorites are attested to in the Amarna Letters (noted above) as well as other documents, including those that were found in Ugarit and Hatti. One of the Amarna letters was sent to Pharaoh Akhenaten by Rib-Hadda, the ruler of Gubla; a city that was about to be destroyed by the Amarru (Amorite people).