Before the Potter’s wheel
Earthenware or mitti ke bartan was manufactured during the Middle Stone Age, Neolithic and Copper Stone periods. So we get information about them through these mediums. Potter wheel was not invented during the Stone Age. In that period, humans used to build the pottery in different ways such as elongating the soil in a round shape and keeping it in a round shape like a small one and then it was cooked in the sun and in the fire. According to another method, the clay was made around the outside of the pallet baskets by applying mud coating on the outside and inside which was later burnt.
Mitti Ke Bartan After the invention a Potter’s wheel
Pottery was greatly improved during the Neolithic period. Since the discovery of potter wheel, many forms of pottery have started to appear. The oldest pottery in the world were found from China, that date to around 18,000 BCE.
Different uses of earthenware or Mitti Ke Bartan
💠Storage
During the Middle Stone Age, Neolithic and Copper Stone periods, pottery was used for the collection of food grains obtained from agriculture. The grain was stored for a long time for future use in these pots. Pottery or Mitti Ke Bartan was also used for the storage of raw materials, raw meat etc.
💠 Food manufacture
Before the Iron Age and the Copper Age, only pottery was used for the manufacture of food. Meat or vegetables all were cooked in the pottery. In last 30 years Various discoveries have found about pottery use in ancient time, that was used in cooking and serving food.
💠 To serve food
The Archaeological Department has looked at various sizes of utensils or Mitti Ke Bartan for serving food. The vessels serving the liquids were shaped like suras and for the food serving the vessels looked like a bowle. With the development of time, various types of paintings on these utensils also begin to appear.
💠 For the keeping dead body
In ancient civilizations, the body was cremated by the method of burying the mortal body in large earthen houses with dear objects. There was also a message of civilizations that said that the body is made of soil and it is finally mixed into soil (pot of clay).
Connecting with divine philosophy
The human body is made up of basic five elements( Mahabhutas) and after death the body is absorbed by these mahabhutas. One of these five elements is earth. If the soil is said to be the most useful item of nature, it is not wrong. Along with this strength, it also gives the basis of good luck, wealth and success. Not only this the earthenware are also a great contribution to sustainability.
It has been believed that every person should live near the soil or soil element. The distance from them is not right for anyone. Kumbh(clay pot) has another meaning as womb- the creater of new life. The potter caste is associated with God ‘Bramha’. ‘Brahma‘ is known for creating world in Hindu mythology. Here on earth the potter ( maker of Mitti Ke Bartan) is the only caste that has the ability to create, just like the mother and ‘Brahma’. In the womb, the child is raised, in the same way, the potter also impregnates the clay loaves on the Wheel.
