The pottery is an ancient [occupation ] that has been practiced for centuries in Romania, especially if

we consider the beautiful [pottery ] items from the Neolithic age, the era in which a remarkable
civilization developed in this region. Pottery is a tiring job, [requiring ] strength, skill, and special
[knowledge] . Any mistake can result in the destruction of an item; that’s why pottery used to be [ a
craft] reserved exclusively for men, and women were only allowed to help with the [decorations].
The Marginea ceramics is a specific [ceramic ] type for the Marginea village in Suceava County. It’s
characterized by the [black ] color acquired by the objects after [burning ], as a result of the use of
prehistoric [technology], and by ornaments, as the result of the use of specific techniques or the
preservation of some [traditional ] forms. It’s one of the old crafts that were still [preserved ] to this
day in Romania. It is assumed that at Marginea, the art of pottery [started ] more than 300 years ago.
This beautiful craft is [transmitted ] from father to son, it’s learned from an [early] age (7 -8 years)
and [apprenticeship ] lasts about 4 years. Usually, boys are the ones who practice [the job]. The
technological process lasts 3 weeks, from the moment of wheel [ modeling], decorating, drying and
then burning of the items in the [oven]. It should be noted that the black ceramics made in Marginea
is [unique ] in Europe. Another black ceramics [center ] is found in Mexico. In the 12th-15th
centuries, pottery activity grew strongly in [northern ] Moldova region and especially in Suceava
because the potters used to make many [dishes] and other ceramic items for the monks from the
monasteries [scattered ] around the area. There are 4 natural elements that contribute to the making
of black ceramics: earth, water, air, and fire. The main manufactured items are [cooking ] pots,
plates, mugs, bowls, and decorative [flower ] vases. Men gather [clay ] out of special places, bring it
to the [workshop] , and knead it with their [hands], feet, or with a large wooden hammer, stirring it
with [water]. The paste thus obtained is cleaned of [impurities], cut into thin slices and then worked
on the [wheel]. At first, clay pots were red, like the [Romans ] used to make them. It is said that by a
happy [accident ] after a potter placed the dishes in the oven and started burning them, the oven
[broke ] down. Before, the ovens were built in the ground, not on the [surface] , as now. The [potter ]
was at first angry because [ the damage] was significant. He waited for the oven to cool down, and
when he [took out ] the dishes he noticed that they were black. That made him [happy], thinking that
he was able to make even more beautiful pots. The potter was [Dacian]. That’s why black ceramics
are said to be inherited [from ] Dacians, and the red one from the Romans.