The potter’s kiln

The discovery of a Gaulish potter’s kiln, in Varennes-lès-Mâcon, in 1967, was an exceptional find ; in most instances, it has not been possible to conserve such structures unearthed during excavations.

This kiln was used to fire ceramics, made by artisans during the Gaulish period. The design of this circular kiln, where the item to be fired is not separated from the combustion gases, remained in usage until the Middle Ages, passed down from one generation of artisans to the next. Ceramological studies have, however, shown a gradual evolution of the shape of vases, in particular that of common ceramic pots.