ï~~Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists 45 (2008) 247-259
A Coptic Account of Pottery from the
Kilns of Psabt (P.Lond.Copt. 1.695)
Terry Wilfong University of Michigan
Abstract
A Coptic account of pottery fired in kilns from the sixth-eighth centuries (British Library Or. 4721 (16), partially published by WE. Crum
in 1905 as P.Lond.Copt. 1.695) is published here for the first time in a
full edition, with discussion of the possibilities for its place of origin
at Psabt. The amounts of pottery listed in the account (and a number
in its cryptic docket) are discussed in relation to contemporary pottery and kiln sizes from archaeological sites in Egypt, and suggestions
are made as to the relationship between the account's contents and
kiln capacities.
It is a pleasure to offer this text in tribute to Jim Keenan, who has been a
great mentor, colleague, and friend to me over the years. Jim first introduced
me to the theory and practice of papyrology, and has always seemed to me
the embodiment of one of its most important principles: the amicitia papyrologorum. This text seems especially appropriate, as I first began my work
on it in Jim's papyrology seminar in 1989. Its publication in BASP is likewise
appropriate given Jim's publication of my own first articles in BASP under his
editorship, and his subsequent help to me when I took over the editorship of
SIn addition to Jim Keenan himself (for his initial encouragement to work on this
papyrus), I would like to acknowledge the help of the late Dominic Montserrat (with
whom I first examined this papyrus in the British Library's India Office), the late Sarah
Clackson (for useful discussion of the location of Psabt), David Stone and Eleni Hasaki
(for insight into pottery manufacture), Elizabeth Murphy (for suggestions on current
work, especially her own, on kiln capacities), Traianos Gagos, McGuire Gibson, Clemens Reichel, and the audiences of the various presentations I have made about the
project over the years. Thanks to guest-editor T.M. Hickey and the anonymous referees
for comments and references. Early research on this papyrus was supported in part by a
University of Chicago Edward L. Ryerson travel grant for archaeological research. The
photographs accompanying this article are published courtesy of the British Library.
