THE HEAT UNIT TYPES AND THE FIRING TEMPERATURE IN THE PEOPLE OF ROMNY CULTURE

Abstract

The paper deals with the firing process of Romny culture ceramics. One of the key operations in the manufacture of pottery is the thermal effect on it. Firing is the last stage in pottery production when ceramics acquire the necessary physical properties and become suitable for use in various household needs. Analysis of the source and the results of interdisciplinary research allows us to identify the thermal facilities used for this process. It is also possible to determine the firing temperature of handmade pottery. It can be argued that Siverians handmade pottery burned mainly in fires and kilns. Ordinary household stoves were not used for this purpose. The firing was carried out mainly without temperature exposure, for a short time, at low temperatures. This assumption is supported by the color of the shard at the break, as well as the presence of organic matter traces or unmelted prints of organic on ceramic. Despite the fact that clay products were burned at relatively low temperatures during the period under study they were used in everyday life. The firing temperature of Romny culture ceramics had limits between 450 and 550 °С, in some cases reaching 600—800 °С. The use of pottery kilns had to be followed by a special firing regime. The time of their appearance probably lies within the 9th century, but this date needs to be clarified. Somewhat later, in the 10th century two-chamber kiln structures appeared on the Siverians settlements. The spread of such kilns is associated with the influence of the Khazar Khaganate population. The appearance of special kilns indicates a certain increase in economic and production potential, which leads to the beginning of the allocation of pottery in a separate branch of the craft.