Once the clay has been extracted with a pickaxe and transported to the workshop, it is
pounded
with a wooden pestle. Wood, a relatively soft material, is used so as not to break the small stones which may be in the clay. The pounding turns the lumps of clay into powered earth.
The next stage is
sifting
the earth, using first a large sieve and then a much finer one for clay intended for small pots. In the latter case, the end product will be placed in a tank, with 1 part clay to 3 parts water. The heavier elements in the clay (stones, metals etc.) will sink, while the pure clay remains suspended on the surface of the mud. This process is known as
levigation
.
Once the water has evaporated, the homatas removes the
suspension
with a spade and places it in a second tank, where it will be dried out further. Once the
clay
is compact enough, it is cut into large pieces for the potter to knead (wedging) and throw on the wheel.
In the case of pounded lepida, the powdered clay is not levigated in tanks but mixed with kokkinohoma clay, with the addition of a little water, and pressed with the feet, like grapes in a wine-press. This clay is suitable for large pots such as pithoi.
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