Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology		The Collections:
	PotWeb:	Ceramics online @ the Ashmolean Museum	•	Early Europe & Near East
			•	Classical to Medieval
			•	Europe from 1500
			•	Oriental & Islamic

The ABC of pottery in archaeology

What is it?

There are three types of ceramic in the archaeological record: earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. All are made from clay, a plastic mineral whose physical structure can be changed permanently by the application of heat. Earthenware is fired to a comparatively low temperature (above 600°C) with the result that it remains porous. Stoneware has a fused, waterproof body achieved through firing above 1200°C., while porcelain is white and translucent, fired at temperatures above 1300°C. Only clays from certain sources can withstand these higher temperatures.

Still-life by Harmen van Steenwyck (1612 after 1656) with an earthenware jar, earthenware dish with a knife, a pewter-mounted stoneware bottle and a porcelain dish of peaches and grapes

The ABC of ...

Why is pottery useful?

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