There are several qualities about clay that contribute to its historical significance. To start, clay is historically one of the oldest raw materials on earth (Peterson & Peterson, 2009). Once fired, the clay is rendered hard, enabling ceramic objects to potentially last forever. Ceramic vessels dating back to the Stone Age, discovered in various parts of the world, confirm that this material has long been used by people from many different cultural backgrounds (Mackey, 2003). As Peterson and Peterson (2009) note, it is interesting to consider that when engaging in the long-standing tradition of creating ceramics, individuals can connect with other people across time, space, and culture.
References
Mackey, M. (2003). Teacher’s edition: Experience clay. Davis Publications.
Peterson, S. & Peterson, J. (2009). Working with clay (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.