Hello Everybody,

Recently I have been researching ancient kilns, their designs, history of,
etc... Anyway, I have much exhausted the resources available to me here in
little Tallahassee, Fl. (sounds so quaint doesn't it?)

I was wondering if anyone knew of any ceramic art historians/
archaeologists, who specialize in this area and have actually done the field
work and recovery of artifacts, and would share some of their research. Or
does anyone know if there is a fantastic book out there that is so
specifically and archaeologically kiln-specified that perhaps I may have
overlooked it?

Also, I already have plenty of books on kilnbuilding and firing techniques.
It's the archaeological aspects I'm interested in; what it was that was
being fired, glazed, and how the work was affected by the kiln, and relation
to the culture, etc...

Thanks a lot for any help,

Kosmas Ballis

Hi Kosmas

Yukio Yamamoto in Himeji Japan studied the old Tozan kilns and revived
the kiln with I believe some of the original bricks. If you want more
info give me a post and I will try and get you some of the original
stuff on the old kiln.

Regards
Maureen Beardsley, Vancouver Island

kosmas g ballis wrote:

... Or does anyone know if there is a fantastic book out there that is so specifically and archaeologically kiln-specified that perhaps I may have overlooked it? ... Kosmas Ballis

Hi Kosmas,

I'm glad that I stumbled on your post! I study Roman ceramic kilns and ancient pyrotechnology in general. There's a lot of information available on the kilns of Greece and Rome. A good place to start with the archaeology of kilns is Swan, V. G., "The Pottery Kilns of Roman Britain," (London: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments: Supplementary Series 5, 1984).

Peacock, D. P. S., “The Ethnography of Pottery Production in Europe and the Mediterranean Area,” Pottery in the Roman World: an ethoarchaeological approach, (London, 1982), pp. 12-51 is one of my favorites as well. And if you read Italian and German, Ninina Cuomo di Caprio (who also publishes in English sometimes) and Adam Winter are great sources.

The best resource on the web, in my opinion, remains http://www.potsherd.uklinux.net -- they have a great section on kilns at http://www.potsherd.uklinux.net/atlas/data/pdb.php?db=rbkilns

Good luck!
-Joey W

Joey, I am curious, what is the most interesting ancient ceramic object in your opinion? Acient pyrotechnology sounds like a fascinating area considering its importance in the early days of civilization.

Thank you for the great resource Joey.

kosmas.... this is Rick Colahan from Kansas!!! How are ya bra, man been a long too long time. Hit me back here or send me an email at
Rickola71@gmail.com

kosmas g ballis wrote:

Hello Everybody, Recently I have been researching ancient kilns, their designs, history of, etc... Anyway, I have much exhausted the resources available to me here in little Tallahassee, Fl. (sounds so quaint doesn't it?) I was wondering if anyone knew of any ceramic art historians/ archaeologists, who specialize in this area and have actually done the field work and recovery of artifacts, and would share some of their research. Or does anyone know if there is a fantastic book out there that is so specifically and archaeologically kiln-specified that perhaps I may have overlooked it? Also, I already have plenty of books on kilnbuilding and firing techniques. It's the archaeological aspects I'm interested in; what it was that was being fired, glazed, and how the work was affected by the kiln, and relation to the culture, etc... Thanks a lot for any help, Kosmas Ballis