In the early part of the Early Bronze (EB) II period, the Aegean world sees the appearance of
the collared jar, the first ceramic Maritime Transport Container (MTC) of the region. Based
on a study and scientific analyses of hundreds of EB II transport jars, focusing on the harbour
towns of Poros-Katsambas on Crete, Akrotiri on Thera and Ayia Irini on Kea, we identify some
of the key production areas in both the Cyclades (Kea, Siphnos, Melos, Naxos, Thera) and
on mainland Greece (Attica). In addition to surveying the spatial and temporal distribution
of these EB II jar types at a number of key Aegean coastal sites, we consider the high value
liquid commodity being transported and exchanged in these jars, and suggest wine as a likely
candidate. We argue that the emergence of the transport jar in EB II should be viewed as part
of the same phenomenon as the outburst of pouring and drinking vessels in contemporary
Aegean contexts, all evidence for new social practices of drinking and feasting in the private
and public spheres
