| Pottery has been an important element in the | | | | of pottery was in these societies. |
| history of the human race, allowing for the | | | | This period also saw the development of glazes |
| storage and transport of a range of materials as | | | | that meant fired pottery was no longer porous |
| well as acting as an artistic medium for thousands | | | | and hence liquids such as wine and olive oil could |
| of years. The earliest pottery pieces date back | | | | be transported across longer distances. Whilst |
| over 25,000 years ago and since this time it has | | | | traditional thought on the Dark Ages highlights that |
| played an important role throughout history. | | | | the pottery industry suffered greatly throughout |
| The creation of the potter's wheel can be seen | | | | Europe following the fall of Rome, the finding of |
| as one of the major developments within the | | | | pottery fragments in parts of southern England |
| history of pottery. Believed to have occurred | | | | from this period shows that the importance of |
| around 3,000 B.C. the potter's wheel enabled the | | | | non-porous pottery in the transportation of exotic |
| creation of uniform pieces and the building of an | | | | foodstuffs remained an important element in the |
| industry based on the skill sets of potters. | | | | Dark Age world. |
| Pottery, like many other industries built up in the | | | | One of the biggest developments in the world of |
| earliest cities as food production was increasingly | | | | pottery came as part of Britain's industrial |
| carried out on a massive scale and people could | | | | revolution. Like many other industries during this |
| devote more time to perfecting their skills rather | | | | period mass production became a driving force in |
| than producing food. Understandably the creation | | | | factories throughout England and pottery factories |
| of the potter's wheel is often regarded as a | | | | were quick to incorporate the principles of mass |
| revolutionary development in the history of | | | | production to meet the massive demand for |
| pottery as it allowed an industry to be built up | | | | pottery pieces in Victorian Britain and across the |
| that met the demands of early civilisations. | | | | empire. |
| Pottery also played an important in Ancient Greek | | | | Since this time the drive for more efficient |
| and Roman civilisations. Particularly pertinent was | | | | production processes has continued in the world |
| the use of geometric designs and images to | | | | of pottery. This has meant that the pottery |
| depict stories and events on pottery items. Many | | | | industry now has a twofold emphasis, from low |
| of these items are still visible today in museums | | | | cost mass produced items to more bespoke |
| and give an indication of how important the role | | | | expensive pieces. |