On October 12th, a pottery masterclass with open-hearth firing of ceramics took place at the "Tura-khan" visitor center. The event brought together everyone who wanted not just to hear, but to see and feel how ancient masters of the Southern Urals worked with clay.
The event was led by Vadim Mukhametdinov – an archaeologist, senior lecturer at Ufa State University of Science and Technology, and a specialist in ancient ceramics. Under his guidance, participants witnessed the firing of replicas of archaeological vessels in an open hearth.
With the help of fire, it was possible to give the clay vessels that very authentic look that distinguishes real archaeological finds. Hearth firing results in a characteristic mottled coloration and lower durability, but it was precisely this technology that was primary for local peoples up until the developed Middle Ages.
After the successful firing, we asked the organizer, Vadim Mukhametdinov, about his personal impressions.
"To be honest, this is my first independent experience of open-hearth firing on such a scale. Therefore, I wouldn't have been surprised by a production defect of 50 percent or more. But almost all the vessels survived the firing. One lost its bottom, a couple or three cracked. I think I understand why this happened. And this is also an experience that will allow us to avoid mistakes in the future."
He also noted the value of the format: "The most valuable aspect was the proposal itself from the staff of the Eurasian Museum to hold such an event. Firing the pottery was necessary to fulfill our obligations to the museum. And holding it at the museum's venue in a masterclass format was a pleasant bonus. It's gratifying that the masterclass was attended by ceramic artists who shared their experience."
Speaking about technologies, Vadim explained: "The technologies were very diverse, even within the same era. But all ancient technologies were united by the coil-building technique and firing in open devices like hearths. Important innovations in pottery, such as the use of the potter's wheel and glaze, began to appear in the Southern Urals during the Golden Horde period."
Despite the cold weather, the event attracted an interested audience, where participants could ask their questions and personally interact with the expert, learning about the intricacies of the craft.
Photos from the event can be seen here: https://vk.com/album-226634666_310383391