Black-burnished ware facts for kids
Black-burnished ware is a special kind of pottery made during the Roman times in Britain. It's called "burnished" because its surface was polished until it was smooth and shiny. This was done using a hard, smooth tool.
There are two main types of Black-burnished ware, even though they look similar. They are called Black-burnished ware 1 (BB1) and Black-burnished ware 2 (BB2).
BB1 pottery is black and feels rough, like sand. It was made by hand. BB2 pottery is usually grey and has a smoother feel. It was made using a fast potter's wheel.
Both types often have cool patterns. These include criss-cross (lattice) designs or wavy lines, especially on bowls and dishes. Common shapes for both types are jars with wide rims and bowls with straight or flat edges.
Contents
Black-burnished Ware 1 (BB1)
What is BB1 Pottery?
Black-burnished Ware Category 1, or BB1, is made from a type of clay that feels very rough. The clay can contain tiny pieces of black iron, flint, quartz, red iron, and shale. This makes BB1 pottery look grainy and appear black or dark grey. All BB1 pots were shaped by hand.
Where was BB1 Made and Used?
BB1 pottery was mostly made in the Dorset area of Britain. From there, it was sent and used all over Britain. This type of pottery was popular mainly from the mid-2nd century AD to the 4th century AD. You can find BB1 in many forms, including bowls, dishes, and jars.
Influence of BB1
Early BB1 pottery even influenced other types of pottery, like Vectis ware. This shows how important and widespread BB1 was during Roman times.
Black-burnished Ware 2 (BB2)
What is BB2 Pottery?
Black-burnished Ware Category 2, or BB2, looks different from BB1. It is usually greyer in color and has a much smoother feel. It's described as a "hard, sandy fabric." Its color can vary from dark-grey or black, sometimes with a brown or reddish-brown middle. The surface can be reddish-brown, blue-grey, black, or even a lighter "pearly grey."
The clay used for BB2 can contain small bits of black iron ore, mica, and quartz. Unlike BB1, these pots were made quickly on a potter's wheel.
Where was BB2 Made and Used?
BB2 pottery was made in areas around the Thames Estuary. This includes both the Essex and Kent sides of the river. BB2 was distributed from about AD 140 until the middle of the 3rd century AD. It was mostly found in south-east England and the northern parts of Britain.
