Ceramics is a material that has been used for centuries. It can be found in the pots and pans we use to cook with, as well as in the tiles on our floors and walls.
The first known production of ceramics was found at Jiahu, China between 7000 BC -5700 BC where they were fired at low temperatures around 1000°C. The earliest evidence of pottery was discovered by archaeologists who unearthed 20 or so pieces from what appears to have once been a kiln located near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. This discovery dated back to 6000 BCE (about 7500 years ago).
We will explore 8 ceramic facts you may not know about!
- Ceramic has been around for about 10,000 years
- The oldest known ceramic object is a bowl found in China that dates back to 20,000 BC
- The first ceramics were found in China and Mesopotamia
- There are over 20 different types of ceramic art styles
- Ceramics are divided into three categories – earthenware, stoneware and porcelain
- Earthenware is porous and can be glazed or unglazed, while porcelain has a higher firing temperature which makes it non-porous
- Stoneware is usually fired at high temperatures so it’s hard and durable like stone
- Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is often used for dishes because it doesn’t scratch or chip easily