Pottery
Life has evolved greatly in all scientific, technological, industrial and other fields, leading to the emergence of some trades and industries that facilitate life on humans and the disappearance of others. Some of the industries that man depended upon in his life since the beginning of his development disappeared now and became a mere history and heritage, including pottery. Most of the vessels used by man were pottery; pottery is clay that is burned in kilns after its formation, In this process the mud turns into a solid state.The spread of pottery in Saudi Arabia
Some areas in Saudi Arabia still depend on the pottery industry and continue to be used but in a limited way. The Hajar region of Al-Ahsa, specifically the village of Al-Afara, located 15 km away from Hofuf, is famous for the pottery industry since ancient times, Where the industry (pottery) of the crafts that interested the residents of the region (Hijr) Al Ahsa; where they passed generation after generation and still adhere to it because it is connected to the original heritage, and the other reason that they are still continuing is the presence of materials and tools for the industry.
There are families known to the pottery industry in Saudi Arabia, the Al-Ghrash family. They continue to follow their parents and grandparents through this factory near the mountain, which is frequented by many tourists from different countries such as Qatar and Bahrain.
Pottery in Saudi Arabia The clay used in the pottery industry differs from one region to another. For example, the clay used in Al-Ahsa is the clay next to the factory, which is in three colors: yellow, green and red. A mixture of these types is made for the formation of pottery paste. Through which the pottery works are:
. The work of models on the hand; where each piece works alone and is called modulation
. Make ready-made molds only
. Use the wheel by placing the dough in a spinning wheel and form by hand the clay while rotating.
Pottery clay processing is carried out as follows: In a plant adjacent to the mountain, clay clay is made in a circular pond with a diameter of between three and three and a half meters, with three rectangular pools. The clay consists of three types (green, red and yellow) The water is then left for two hours. The workers then enter the pond to remove the impurities from the mud and mix it. The clay is then distributed to the three pools through a strainer placed on the opening of the pond and left to be held together.