I Recreated This Ancient Pottery Pitcher 100% From Nature

[@AncientPottery]

Sorry everybody, for some unknown reason KZbin didn't add auto-captions to this video when I uploaded it. I have now added them, enjoy!

[@Sean-wm5rq]

I love that you're not afraid to show your struggles with some of these processes too, instead of editing them out. Reminds me that even disasters are part of the learning curve, and not always really disasters at all. Thanks for your channel.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I think that's an important point to make, that we all make mistakes.

[@MrWokyn]

Hello from Czech republic. Since this summer my wild clay pottery journey started thanks to you. To this day I got more the 40 pots. Most of them are celtic, because its a culture which was huge part of our history. Its a big thing, when I use the same clay how they used to. In conclution I have to thank you a lot. Take care Andy.

[@pmazie]

Hi Andy, I found your channel several years ago.I will never be a potter, that said, I love watching your adventures, your history, the love you have for your art. I have watched each one, many more than once. Please keep up the good work!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks for the info, it really helps me understand my audience better.

[@Emily-v2l3o]

I am sad that you'll not be doing the ancient pottery challenge. My favorite part is probably the intro video where you talk about the areas and different cultures of the pots you choose to recreate. Although I certainly enjoy watching the creation videos too!

[@AncientPottery]

More good videos are coming, so no worries. Thanks for watching

[@pamelabuss7506]

I love your challenges to improve my craft. I don’t show any because I am not good enough. I absorb your challenges and improve every time. Please don’t stop.

[@Everettalla]

I just love your work! I’m not a potter myself but I follow many professional or casual potters who throw clay on a wheel. They’re wonderful, but the way you go about the process feels so much more intimate. Almost like you’re connecting with ancient people by doing pretty much exactly what they would.

[@sa19135.]

Amazing! Please continue your ancient ceramic challenge. It is very unique.

[@AncientPottery]

I am sure you will find season 6 as entertaining as season 5 even without the Ancient Pottery Challenge. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

As always, a lovely pot. I really like your work, Andy. Sorry to see the Ancient Pottery Challenge go, but I understand. As someone who is only watching, at this point, well, I'm not doing my part! Also, i couldn't help but laugh watching you fail to leave the fire alone. The temptation is strong, isnt it?

[@AncientPottery]

Hah ha, yes, it's really the story of my life, "leave it alone". Thanks

[@mysteriousoklahoma777]

26:24 love the design of this one ….one of my favorites

[@nickjohnson410]

Andy... you are a Legend. Thank you for making my morning better. Morning coffee + Andy Ward videos + cold weather in Florida = Awesome. Side Note: I'm a musician not a potter and I have not had experience with pottery since kindergarten but I still love your videos.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Nick! I am glad I could make your cold morning a little better.

[@chanaheszter168]

All beautiful! Especially the olla. Lovely design and form. I never made the APC forms, but your work has been a major influence on what I have been doing. I went back to learning pottery 2 years ago, and it's been amazing. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, I'm glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@Kostandenec]

Hi, i just saw a couple of your videos - I never had time for pottery, but I got quite interested a few days ago. I love all kinds of crafting and, of course, pottery is one of them. I also love antiques and ancient stuff, so your videos came just in time. I love making things in the most primitive way, I love it when they look like hand made, not machine made :) So, I love what you do and I'm sure, I'll try it some day! Thanks for sharing!

[@PhyllisLowery-l6v]

Hi Andy, I watch your videos and have learned so much. I sometimes watch them over and over again. I want to learn all I can about ancient pottery. I found natural clay in my yard and I am processing it for my pottery projects. I have a long way to go before I’m as good as you but I don’t want to give up. Thanks for your videos. Phyllis

[@willorocks]

Awesome! It turned out so nice Andy! I agree what you said about the wonkiness! That's part of the charm of ancient pots.

[@tatovive]

Long time subscriber, fan, and proud owner of one of your pots. I’m sorry to hear about the potting club ending but I’m hoping that it gives you more freedom. I can’t imagine the work it must take to keep this channel and the club going. As someone who hopes to create and fire pottery like you, I can tell you why I haven’t started. I’ve had the supplies and clay for over a year and haven’t touched it. It’s procrastination mixed with laziness and a sprinkle of fear. I love watching your process man and enjoy the history. I look forward to seeing what comes. Thanks again for being here.

[@AncientPottery]

Here's one of the problems with the Ancient Pottery Challenge, confusion. It is the Ancient Pottery Challenge that is ending, not the Ancient Potters Club. The club is my weekly Zoom class which will continue, the challenge is my way to get viewers more engaged, the names were always too close and the acronym for both is APC. Really though I am happy to make videos whether or not people want to join me, and I appreciate you watching and commenting. Thanks a million!

[@tatovive]

@ You were right. I was confused. I’m happy to learn the Club is continuing!

[@chrisinkansas8507]

Nice vid. I like the slow-motion replay. Chupadero Black on White from New Mexico had rivetted handles. The top of the handle was smoothed on the inside of the pot (typically a large jar), as one would expect. But the lower part of the handle, while rivetted, was often unreachable on the inside. It was left sticking out on the inside of the pot.

[@AncientPottery]

That's cool, I have never seen an un-smoothed rivet but then we don't get many handles of any sort in my area.

[@hendersonannette6]

Although it’s so frustrating for you, I can’t help but be humoured by your responses which is so entertaining! Love you Andy 😂

[@AncientPottery]

That's why I left it in, because it adds something to the story to see my frustration. Thanks

[@richjageman3976]

I would like to take part in the challenges however nothing I made so far is good enough. I get too anxious and mess up the coal bed or fire it early or something. Cracking and popping/exploding pots in the fire and that stuff.

[@AncientPottery]

Yeah I totally get it, it took me a few years of trying before I made stuff that was worthy of sharing.

[@AlanDayley]

Great looking pot to add to the challenge collection. Thanks for sharing the work!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, I think so too.

[@christineg8151]

What a beautiful pot! I was surprised to see how small it was while you were making it. The picture of the original makes it look like a much larger pot. I'm so glad that you were able to get a good result from that disastrous firing. I haven't been able to join in your challenge because I've been working on my thesis (chemistry) but it has been really interesting to see your process and results. My archaeology background is Ancient Greece and Rome, not Native American, so I haven't been exposed to much Native American pottery, but in a lot of ways, this pot reminds me of some of the Minoan pottery I've seen, at least in terms of the body shape. (their designs were sometimes geometric, sometimes naturalistic, especially ocean life.)

[@silverriverarts]

I've found that when Cannonball starts to develop those little pits or bits that crackle or flake off as I'm polishing is to lick the tip of my finger and touch it to that spot, then polish over it immediately. That seems to be just the right amount of moisture to soften the edges, and let the stone pressure sort of fill in the space. I don't know if other factors in saliva (proteins, etc.) Help to bind it, or if it is just a smaller amount of moisture than if you dip the tip of your finger in water, but it seems to do the trick. I think fewer people participating in the Ancient Pottery Challenge is just a function of the time available. Three years ago we were all still pretty much hunkered in our bunkers, whereas now life seems to be back to its usual frenetic pace.

[@AncientPottery]

Yeah someone else mentioned that about the pandemic and it makes sense, I don't know why I never thought of that. Good tip on the Cannonball flaking off, I don't use it too often, so I might not need that tip again.

[@silverriverarts]

@@AncientPottery Hopefully if there is anybody else struggling with cracking slip (which is pretty much a given with smectite) it may help. I don't know why Cannonball should be worse than others...size of the clay particles, maybe? If they are a little more uneven in size, perhaps that would give rise to microcracks. I guess the only way to tell would be to try it with the very, very top skim of particles from levigation, and some of what's a little lower down. We always stir our slip, so we may not pick up on it in the normal course of things.

[@askedgeorgia17]

Hey Andy, A lot of people have been under a burn ban the past couple of years. I know we are not even allowed to use barbecues this year. I liked your pot challenge. 🥰

[@AncientPottery]

Where is that? I live in Arizona so I am very familiar with burn bans, but at least they are lifted in the winter here.

[@askedgeorgia17]

@@AncientPottery I live in the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area. I’ve lived here all my life and have never experienced fires until these past few years. Going camping is a right of passage here. What’s camping without a fire? 🥰

[@animarlz8460]

“Don’t try too hard” is my motto 💪 thank you for this video!

[@AncientPottery]

@@animarlz8460 good advice in many aspects of life. Thanks!

[@gregwein1]

Ward - I think a larger contributor to the decrease in Challenge potters is Covid. 3 years ago, people were desperate to fill their time with fun activities they could do alone. Now Covid isn’t an issue, and folks are back to other activities in groups. I don’t like Instagram, so I wish you would have posted some of the poetry submissions in your videos. 5 seconds per out would be plenty to appreciate the talent, interpretations and variations folks came up with… Sort of a montage, with your sample pot and then many of the submissions. Your channel is all about learning by doing. And seeing what folks did makes the whole experience more inspiring. It isn’t just you, the expert, doing these pots… Normal folks can make these fancy pots, too!

[@TomahawkUnleashed]

6:37 the classic 1004-1106 AD Walmart plastic bag

[@AncientPottery]

yes well the ancients had other methods that I don't. They also made pottery on the ground without a stool and workbench.

[@wiljak_hakker]

awsome video!!! sad no more challenge but then again, you have to do what you feel rewards you, and im lookign forward to see what that is

[@AncientPottery]

Don't worry, I will still make good videos. Thanks

[@wiljak_hakker]

@@AncientPottery oh i know you will!! never doubted that! :)

[@fourtwozero]

I will miss the challenge. I never followed along but I enjoyed watching each video.

[@AncientPottery]

I predict you will be enjoying the videos so much you won't even notice the APC is gone. 😉

[@vicki1141]

Raining in Tucson . That is kind of a relief isnt it? I so enjoy watching your work and the historical knowledge is fabulous. If its possible , I have some pottery shards I would like to send you pics of to get your opinion.

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, rain in Tucson is always welcome, even when it slows down my pottery project. If you go to the contact page on my website ancientpottery.how/contact-us/ you can send me a message, then I will reply and you will be able to send me the photos of the shards.

[@vicki1141]

@@AncientPottery thanks Andy

[@joehollingshead7302]

I have 3 pieces I used your smectite it's dried ok. Thanks for all you do sir, always interesting.

[@AncientPottery]

Good to hear, thanks

[@christineabedini3765]

The parts look great, very inspiring

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you liked it!

[@Jezidka]

Hi Andy, new here, as I watched the white coating be applied, I wondered if you needed to add a temper to the white coating to keep the clay from cracking? just an idea.

[@chumon1992]

i am interested in the challenge but ive had the bad luck of only just finding you a few days ago. I guess ill have to just go through and make the whole back log and catch up, by then the next 3 seasons should be done for me to follow haha

[@AncientPottery]

You better hurry, LOL

[@nyotauhura7412]

Even though things didn't go the way that was expected it was still fascinating. Maybe next time you have high winds you can stack some larger stones or dirt up to block the wind a bit.

[@kevinryan1827]

Just a random idea. Could having a second fire nearby provide you with an emergency source of coals or partially burned branches? Maybe not every time but on special projects, just in case.

[@AncientPottery]

I have a replicator friend in Colorado who does just that. I am so seldom short on coals myself that it would not be very helpful. But the idea definitely has merit. Thanks.

[@GhostyOcean]

17:00 your slip problem looks similar to when I apply my slip coat too thick. It dries unevenly and then chips off :/

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, I have experienced that, but this did not seem too thick in my experience. But again, I don't have as much experience with this slip.

[@taratainewood3320]

Do you add anything other than water to the clay to make slip when covering your pots? Is it different from the slip used to pour into plaster molds?

[@SuperGuy250]

Hey andy i have roastet some yellow iron ore big piece and after becoming mostly red it had a spot that looked like a O that was purple, like something was sitting under the ore piece and gave it some gas or something do you know how to make purples colors on pottery? It looked like a soft purple very cool , was surrounded by bright red and all of that area was previously yellow .

[@AncientPottery]

No I don't. I talked a bit about purple in my last livestream - kzbin.infoc5p8n1ZlL3k?si=oTXmKXSefE7WkXmC And one of the people told me she had a purple clay that fired to a violet color which was new to me. Very cool.

[@SuperGuy250]

@@AncientPottery i found out that after firing my purple clay just RAW not even mixing it whit water at around a orange-red temp that half of it was orange and half Purple even tho it was fully purple non fired i think thats why everyone is saying that, heck even you i remember 1 time it was a older video or livestream -that purple is usualy coming brown after a firing or something like that which if you search online purple and orange give a brown color .... if i ever become a member and come to a conference il make sure to give you some of this it looks so amazing maybe il find a way to extract only the purple or make some Slip paint.... Or find how to make purple from iron .... looks like a combination of Oxidation and Reduction ... if you ever made Iron metal or reduced the iron alot you can see it having a Blueish Tint like Wood ash blue if you ever saw and im thinking that + red hematite would do it! i also have a video but its kinda not understandable...

[@Laurpud]

Oh man, i was looking forward to this, too. But I live in the US, so don't have hearing aids. I need captions! Even auto generated are better than none

[@AncientPottery]

There should be captions available

[@Gulliolm]

I agree

[@patriciabarlowirick]

You are so inspiring!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@erikhartwig6366]

have you ever used a box fan to just blow air over the pottery you want to dry out? moving air is a great way to wick away moisture

[@AncientPottery]

No, but where I live the problem is seldom drying too slow, usually it is drying too fast. This was an unusual situation for me.

[@rhondahoughton790Canada]

Sir can you mix clay from different locations when making a vessel?

[@KandisG]

Darn it. I just found you today! I'll keep watching. 😊

[@NayrbRellimer]

I was suprised to see how low of a temperature you got during firing while still being able to sinter the clay. I'm assuming you already have experience on avoiding over-firing already, but the temperature readings you got in this video are well below the 850°C where caliche or calcium carbonate decomposes into quick-lime. How often do you risk overfiring an organic painted pot when you are not using a heat gun? I'm hoping I can apply your firing technique to making shell-tempered pottery since it requires a similarly low firing temperature range.

[@llanitedave]

I collected Cannonball White for the first time at the kiln conference this year, and I've had the same issues with it scraping off during polishing. Interestingly, though, I've also had the same problem with a couple of other white slips I've tried. I've noticed the best (but not perfect) results when I don't use the stone at all but gently rub it under a plastic bag. Obviously that's not how the ancients did it!

[@AncientPottery]

I used the same slip for my Mesa Verde mug I made recently (twice) and didn't have this issue, so I think it has something to do with the interaction between Cannonball and the body clay being used. That being said, all smectites are difficult to work with.

[@mscvideo7009]

I was trying to get clay from red soil obtained somewhere in Africa….when I did like u teach on KZbin..I got some crack how can i fix it?? Please help me..thank you so much..for any thing u are doing for the world..

[@AncientPottery]

Did you add temper to your clay? If so maybe it needs more.

[@HDmexsComboCon]

1:23 The Forbidden Pasta Dough

[@AncientPottery]

Don’t knock it till you try it.

[@lisascenic]

I think that every single time 🍝

[@nominkhanaarsalang154]

I've seen Chinese teapot makers both pulling handles and (more frequently) just using coil + slip technique, the results were honestly very similar.

[@AncientPottery]

Fascinating, thanks for sharing.

[@anthonypalac3879]

Looks awsome

[@pashairsyad6977]

been watching your video quiet new and now I'm trying to make pot using sawdust and sand as temper wish me luck guys

[@AncientPottery]

Let me know how it turns out!

[@Thecrowcraftsman]

Few! As of this moment this vid was posted 50 minutes ago. Real cool pitcher, have tried a double handled creation a bit like that.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@angeladazlich7145]

So much to digest in that video :) As to handles, I may be a poor excuse for a potter in many ways but by God I can pull a handle, which I attribute to my time hand milking cows in my youth. The ancients didn't have cows so no pulled handles, but archaeologists have found the remains of ancient blow dryers and rock tumblers in the ruins.

[@AncientPottery]

😒

[@blather4458]

Can anyone let me know where the organic paint is found?

[@AncientPottery]

Do you mean where to buy it or how to make it? Buy - ancientpottery.how/product/bee-weed-pottery-paint/ Make - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGKmZ6asj8dsl9ksi=efJq2-kCefSOLFD1

[@AnneGinders]

Hi Andy I live in New Zealand. I'm fascinated by what you do, but obviously, I can't ever join in. What I love watching is how you learn by your mistakes, process focused artists do that. Occasionally you tempt me to try pottery and maybe 2025 might be the year. Most of my land is clay. As a gardener, I do occasionally dig deep enough to get down to the really plastic stuff. But I don't know enough about it to make anything and if I did, no idea what that might look like. [apologies for rambling] What I want to say is you inspire me to want to dig clay, try make something, build an outdoor fire and fire it.

[@sheilam4964]

Thx.

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome!

[@babakbarfehie6770]

Im from Iran, there is city in southeast of the country, with a heritage of handbild pottery dated back 4000 years, they pull handels.

[@AncientPottery]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@velvetvideo]

love what you do

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, I'm glad you do!

[@lisascenic]

Your pots are really lovely. And you have remarkable self-restraint in your swearing. 😂

[@tomato_lasagna]

I wish my clay was that flexible! Can't roll it like that without cracks

[@AncientPottery]

You need a more plastic clay

[@tomato_lasagna]

@AncientPottery I hope I will find it somewhere near me

[@iggzistentialism8458]

I don't know anything about pottery - but I do know what affects plasticity.... Whilst it's mainly the minerals within the clay or the shape and size of the clay particles, there are a few other things that affect it: - the amount of water, slightly more makes it more flexible. - plasticisers like and glycerine, no idea how this affect pottery. - warming it, specifically in warm water in a sealed bag for a few minutes. - I have no idea about this, but I'm told "organic material" also accounts for some plasticity. Adding some flexible clay also helps, yet it's probably the least helpful tip, but maybe helpful if you want make more with better clay using your own. Not sure that helps but.... good luck using yours or finding some.

[@tomato_lasagna]

@@iggzistentialism8458 thank you for your advice, I'll try it!

[@Jakeprimative]

When’s ur next livestream?

[@AncientPottery]

Next Sunday, December 8 at 10:30 AM mountain time. I will have a special guest for that livestream.

[@Z0M8I3D]

Brosiv, I just watch for the knowledge and data insight

[@DouglasASean]

I’m sure if you spoke to the custodians of the reservation, they might allow you to collect some clay for pottery

[@AncientPottery]

@@DouglasASean Ha! I bet you have never dealt with tribal councils and reservation government before.

[@Spooderman7261]

no way im the first commentor, i didnt even get a notification

[@AncientPottery]

Congratulations

[@Spooderman7261]

@AncientPottery i like clay

[@AncientPottery]

@ who doesn’t?

[@Laurpud]

😂​@@AncientPottery

[@aprillemaster8142]

What type of brush did the native Americans use to apply the slip.

[@Thecrowcraftsman]

Yucca brushes or fiber brushes

[@aprillemaster8142]

@ ok ! Sweeet !

[@AncientPottery]

In a lot of early writings about Native potters they are described as using rabbit fur mops. I need to make one of those.

[@aprillemaster8142]

@ yes ! So cool ! I teach a class at a community center and one of my hunters brought in deer tail we made some brushes. They are excellent.

[@mihailvormittag6211]

👍

[@suwlehim_takaz]

Mr. Andrew, please include subtitles when editing the video, not all viewers of your channel understand fluent English

[@AncientPottery]

@@suwlehim_takaz I keep hearing this today. Usually KZbin includes captions automatically, did they not?

[@AncientPottery]

I just checked, I have no idea why there are no captions available on this video. I will dig into it when I get home later and see if I can fix. I often watch videos with captions on myself so I do understand.

[@_drike_7081]

Що я зрозумів за пеші 10 хвилин відео? Ця глина м'якша за ту глину, що він зазвичай використовує 😂

[@AncientPottery]

There are many other videos on KZbin, if you don't like mine I'm sure you can find something you do like without having to make disparaging comments.

[@-mike-8134]

I like to watch....

[@jill-ti7oe]

😄👍🤙

[@RoosterPootPottery]

Your Covid watchers participated

[@AncientPottery]

@@RoosterPootPottery that’s actually a great point that I hadn’t considered. Thanks

[@ANTOINETTE-nk1tm]

HELLO, ---YOUR VIDEOS ARE FANTASTIC, AND YOUR POTTERY WORK IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. I WAS WONDERING, ---DO YOU EVER USE A POTTER'S WHEEL ??? 🛞