Hobbies And Interests
The Potter's Wheel
In some respects, pottery making remains a primitive art. Clay is formed into a vessel then subjected to heat to drive out the moisture and harden the clay. The introduction of the potter's wheel is believed to have happened in Sumeria around 3,000 B.C., propelled by the need to make pots faster as a trade commodity when the first cities appeared along trade routes.
Pressing, Lumping and Coiling
Before the pottery wheel, the clays were formed in one of three ways. One method was to make a mass of the clay, then form it into a vessel by pressing it out over the hands, not unlike forming dough for baking. Another method was to press small pieces onto one another, forming an aggregate wall, with drops of water to create adhesion between the lumps of clay. This aggregate could then be smoothed out with the fingers. A very common method throughout the world was to roll the clay into snake-like cords and coil these cords around and around to form the vessel walls. Again, the walls were then smoothed over and frequently painted or decorated by scratching in designs or adding small clay figures as flourishes and handles.
Firing
Clay is hardened by drying and further hardened by intense heat. Early pottery was simply placed in an open fire to be hardened. As the association between high heat and hardness became clear, special fires were constructed. Neolithic kilns were made by building the firewood over the top of the clay pottery like an arch. Some Middle Eastern pottery was fired by burying it in dried animal dung, then setting the dung on fire. One method was to sun-bake the pottery, then add piece after piece to a pile with dry brush around each piece. When the pile of brush and pottery was high enough, the whole pile was set on fire and the hardened pottery recovered from the ashes.
Malleability and Art
Primitive potters took advantage of the malleability of clay to make pottery more than utilitarian. The human penchant for art was manifested early in pottery making. The addition of rolled legs and handles was common throughout the world. Many cultures made effigy pottery, or pottery that looked like people or animals. Utility and beauty were combined as pottery was more and more specialized. Lids were fabricated; drinking cups were made; even children's milk jugs were designed.