William Lucius on wed 17 apr 02
An additional comment on Anasazi (Prehistoric Pueblo for the politically
correct) trench kilns. They are really just well built pits for firing
pottery. But they are just one element in a complex algorithm of ceramic
production that requires the selection of specific clay and temper sources
as well as a non-intuitive firing procedure for the production of a rather
unique ceramic product - Black-on-white earthenware. Anyone can replicate a
trench kiln, but unless you have access to the right clay bodies and fuel
types and have knowledge of how to control the amount of reduction taking
place within the kiln, it is a humiliating experience (sort of like trying
to control all of the variables in your first cone 6 reduction firing of
glaze pottery without ever having seeing it being done by another potter).
A group of us (archaeologists) fire trench kilns at the Pecos Conference
each year. This year we will be firing in Santa Fe, New Mexico on August
8th. If you are in the area an interested in the conflagration, contact me
off the list and as soon as I receive the final information as to location
and time I will pass it on.
William A. Lucius
Institute for Archaeological Ceramic Research
845 Hartford Drive
Boulder, CO 80305
iacr@msn.com
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