APC Image: AK 1122: Middle Helladic plain ware. In the same level with the Minyan and mattpainted wares a numer of sherds were found which are rather better than those usually designated as household ware. Much of this plain ware has a rough texture and thick walls, but always a smooth and in a few cases a polished surface. The clay is not well sifted and contains sand and gritty particles, chiefly mica. However, the vases are nicely executed for household pieces. The two sherds in the lower right corner are thin and hard; the rest vary greatly in thickness. The vases are fairly well baked. The color varies from brown to red and black in different shades, but the clay is frequently of lighter color at the core and burned darker at the outer edges. Many of the pieces show traces of burning in the black patches on the outer surface. Some of the sherds have a slip; none are painted. A bowl seems to be the common shape indicated by several examples (such as the top sherd). Some of them have an outward splayed rim. A spouted vase is indicated by sherds in the lower Left corner and center of bottom row, while two sherds in the lower right corner are parts of a strainer.