Ceramics is the production of pieces using moulded clay which
are then baked into a hard finish. Ceramics has been practiced
for centuries to produce a wide range of decorative and
functional pieces.Ceramics throughout the Ages Some of the
earliest ceramic finds can be traced back to ancient Japan circa
10,000 BC. Despite the age of these works they appeared to be
surprisingly detailed pieces. Traces of early ceramics were also
found in Iran dating around five thousand years later. It also
thought that Iranian people had the skills and knowledge to
produce works before this on the Iranian High Plateau. Around
this time other civilisations were also starting to create
ceramics. Chinese and Native American pieces were noted for
their unique designs. The origins of pottery in the west trace
back to the Roman era. As the Romans visited and occupied
different civilisations they became influenced by existing
methods. Greek and Egyptian styles were the main influences
which became adapted to suit the roman lifestyle