Uses of Clay

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Uses of clay Historically Clay was originally used to build houses, this was achieved by making bricks with straw in them, drying them out in the sun and then with some builders firing the bricks to make them harder and more water resistance. The bricks are then stacked on top of another and make a wall for a house. This type of bricks are called; mud-brick. Another way clay was used to build houses the use of roof tiles, this tiles had to be fired, so the tiles were waterproof and did not let water in when it rained. Porcelain Dolls were in popular existence in the early 19th century. Before this time the dolls were made of carved wood or papier mache. The benefits of making the dolls out of porcelain, a type of clay, are that they were able to be a pale colour which is more realistic to the colour of human skin. They were also very easy to paint. Porcelain dolls are still available to buy today. China pottery is a type of porcelain ceramic material, different types of china pottery include; plates, cups, vases and teapots. Porcelain is regarded as originating from China, therefore the use of the word “China” when referring to this type of pottery. This type of pottery is regarded as useful as it can hold liquids if used as a teapot, cup or vase. It can also be eaten upon if used as a plate. Clay pipes were smoked in the late 16th century. Almost every town in England had a pipe maker. The pipes came in different sizes, some were very long, some rather short, some have bends in them and others were straight, they all had a cylindrical hole through the middle. The benefit of clay pipes are the smoking tobacco was regarded as cure for many things. Therefore the benefit of the pipes was to “help cure diseases”. Clay was used to make tablets, the first known writing medium, the writing was written by a reed called a stylist. The writing was also the first

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