Horváth László szerk.: Zalai Múzeum 17. (Közlemények Zala megye múzeumaiból, Zalaegerszeg, 2008)

KREITER ATTILA: A Celtic pottery kiln and ceramic technological study from Zalakomár-Alsó Csalit (S-W Hungary). Kelta edényégető kemence és kerámia technológiai megfigyelések Zalakomár-Alsó Csalit lelőhelyről

in the case of the examined kiln from Zalakomár the type of fuel is not known. Nevertheless, the firing chambers of the kiln at Zalakomár arc relatively small suggesting that bulky fuels were not employed. The raised floor with vent holes pierced in an angle allow combustion air to surround the vessels effectively from all directions increasing the rate of convection and providing relatively even heat distribution from each direction. In the case of the kiln at Zalakomár it is not known whether the kiln was fired in the flues or in the firing chamber only (JEREM 1984b, 99) or fuel was also put amongst the wares. It must also be noted that if fuel was placed among and top of the vessels, the burning fuel above the wares acted as a blanket (just as a dome) enclosing heat and providing a residual layer of highly effective insulating ash (KINGERY 1997, 13). Ethnographic studies indicate that the temperature achieved in different types of firing structures (bonfires and kilns) are not so different in terms of the length of firing and temperature uniformity (GOSSELAIN 1992, 246). The main difference between them is that permanent-walled kiln structure contains heat more effectively and achieves a slightly higher temperature (IBID.). The kiln structure takes up much of the heat produced and require a slower increase in temperature. Further advantage of updraft kilns is that the firing chamber and the setting area where the vessels are put are separated. In the kilns the atmosphere may be controlled by the selection of fuel and regulating air circulation within the kiln. The atmosphere of firing affects several properties of the finished product in particular colour and hardness, but also porosity and shrinkage (RICE 1987, 81). The sherds examined in this paper show that the firing atmosphere was a mixture of different firing conditions. Some sherds seem to be neither completely oxidised nor completely reduced and fire clouded sherds are also present, although some of the completely reduced sherds suggest a well-controlled firing. It must be noted, however, that it cannot be proven whether the examined sherds from the kiln were actually fired in that kiln. Notwithstanding, the kiln from Zalakomár shows, in many respects, distinct characteristics from other La Tène kilns. The size of the kiln and the flues, and the general structure of the kiln seem to be similar to other kilns. The interesting feature of this kiln, is the unique way of constructing the raised floor and arranging vent holes in an angle allowing heat to be directed towards the middle of the kiln. These practices indicate that the makers of this structure were inventive craftspeople. The above section outlined the high variability in pottery kilns and even though they look similar they vary in terms of shape and internal structure and their variability seems to be arbitrary. For this reason it is hard to discern logical reason for the different choices. If one had advantages over the other these remain elusive, and it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the matter was determined at least partially by the tradition and training of the potters. By studying the construction of pottery kilns and ceramic technology we cannot overlook the underlying logic in these practices because they constitute the entire context and rationale for investigating the relation between pottery and society. Discussion of ceramics In the filling of the kiln 11 rim, 64 body, 1 handle and 5 base sherds were found. None of the sherds were used in the construction of the kiln. The sherds were either wasters, although no ovcrfired or warped vessels were identified, or the kiln may have been used as a rubbish pit after its abandonment. The sherds came to light from above the raised floor, and also from the firing chamber and stokehole suggesting that after the use of the kiln was discontinued it was used as a rubbish pit. In this paper only the most characteristics sherds in terms of typological categories are presented with great emphasis on their building techniques. Description of characteristic ceramics from the kiln 1. Inv.No. 722.378.1.1 (Fig. 5/1): It is an orangey and light brownish out-curved rim sherd of an amphora. Just below the rim it is decorated with a rib. Inside just below the rib it is decorated with a shallow impression. The sherd is fully oxidised on its exterior, interior and core although its core shows occasional dark patches indicating that the firing atmosphere were slightly uneven. The vessel was slab-built then it was finished on a slow wheel or turn table. The height of the slab was ca. 5 cm. The fabric of the sherd shows increased amounts of sand. The quartz grains are mainly opaque and white showing up to 1-1.5 mm in size although sparse amounts coarse quartz grains are also present. Maximum height: 5-5.2 cm, max. width: 10.6 cm, thickness: 0.6 cm. 2. Inv.No. 722.378.1.2 (Fig. 5/2): It is a light brown out-curved rim sherd of a bowl with an S profile. In the exterior just below the rim it is decorated with a shallow impression and two shallow impressions are running on its shoulder. The sherd is fire clouded and both its exterior and interior show reduced patches. Its core is orange and dark grey that indicates irregular firing conditions. The vessel was slab-built. The upper part of the vessel was made out of one slab which was 5 cm in height. To this a much smaller ca. 1.5 cm high