Production and ceramic technology at the Late Bronze Age site of Alassa-Pano Mandilaris (Cyprus - Kouris Valley) First things first: understanding the nature of the raw material(s) and their source(s)

Plain Ware ceramics from Alassa- Pano Mandilaris, a Late Cypriote site (LC IIC-LC IIIA period), have been the subject of a number of studies that have focused on the wide fabric variation, through the identification of six macroscopic types and eight petrographic fabric groups . More samples have been examined (Black Slip, Coarse Cooking and White Painted Wheel-Made III ) in order to characterize production and ceramic technology. A total of twelve petrographic fabric groups were identified and the combination of petrography with Lead (Pb) isotopes analysis suggested that most could have been made with local raw materials . New preliminary Strontium (Sr) isotopic results allow the identification of two distinct groups, which explain the nature and source(s) of the raw materials in more detail. This is crucial in understanding local ceramic technology and targets the very first steps of the operational chain: the acquisition/procurement and selection of raw materials and their sources. This paper will investigate a) to what degree the local environment - natural variability and/or the use of different clay sources - played a role in the distinction of the twelve fabric groups and b) whether or not the new grouping corresponds with distinct productions or ceramic traditions.