More than a ware. Preliminary observations on the typological, mineralogical, and chemical diversity of cream wares from Jordan (mid-8th to 11th centuries)

• Wide spectrum of cream wares from mid-8th to 11th centuries expands ’ware’ concept. • Cream wares exhibit regional diversity in terms of compositional characteristics. • Multiple workshops produced cream wares within a single ’signature style’. • Significant compositional and technological differences exist between main sub-categories of Islamic Cream Ware. The ceramic repertoire of Jordan, as well as that of the wider Bilad al-Sham, underwent significant evolution after the mid-8th century. One of the key aspects of this transformation was the emergence and spread of various types of cream wares, reflecting new typological solutions that marked a clear break with Late Antique traditions. The present study, which includes archaeometric analyses (pXRF, XRD, and petrography) of samples from eight sites across Jordan, demonstrates that this class of pottery constitutes a regionally diverse and heterogeneous group, characterized by complex patterns of production and distribution. It is evident that between the mid-8th and 11th centuries, new typological forms—likely introduced from the regions of Iraq and Iran—began to develop independently in multiple locations across Jordan, responding to the socio-cultural needs of local communities.