AVANOS MLEK L NDE KAYBOLAN B R DE ER: KARA FIRIN

Archeological studies conducted in Anatolia demonstrate that the ceramic production started in Neolithic Period. Finding obtained in the excavations show that the ceramic culture reached an advanced level ion this geography. However, only small amount of this rich culture survived currently. Avanos District of the Nev ehir Province is an important production center reflecting this culture and representing the traditional pottery. However, due to economical reasons, workshops producing ceramic articles closed one by one. The precautions taken by individuals and local authorities to stop this trend and to boost the Avanos pottery could not be sufficient. Thus, Avanos pottery is in danger of being lost. Only small number of potters in Avanos use the clay obtained from the region to make potteries and use the pottery-shaping set-up rotated by foot, locally called as Tepme Tezgah , for shaping traditional forms of ceramic articles. Black kiln, a traditional kiln used in firing of these ceramic pieces, is used to put decorations on the potteries reflecting these forms. Although black kilns have been constructed and used by potters for years, there are only few workshops are using this kiln for firing purposes. Ceramics produced in Black Kilns and locally called as All - Güllü, are rare. However, in order to prevent loosing this traditional Anatolian pottery value and transfer the knowledge to the next generations, black kilns should be constructed and workshops should be done.