Clay Pit

The tribes of ancient Europe kept very few written records, so much of what we know of their way of life comes from archaeological discoveries. For example, we know that the ancient Celts fired pots in kilns that allowed air, or rather oxygen, to be introduced, thus allowing the potter to control the colour of his work. It is clear from later finds that potters learnt that the introduction of liquid to the clay, before firing, could also affect its colour, and this led to new and more complicated patterns emerging. The differences in pattern design also reveals the differences between the tribes. Pottery discovered in Gaul and Britannia tends to favour elaborate scenes of hunting, sports or deities compared to the more basic patterns found in other areas of Europe.