Bronze Age Connections: Smoked Fired Pottery

Bronze Age Connections: Crafting the Past
Discover the ancient craft traditions of the Causeway Coast and North Antrim in this hands-on Bronze Age-inspired pottery workshop.

Small, highly decorated pots dating from the Bronze Age have been discovered along the North Antrim coast. Often containing traces of burnt wood and featuring mysterious holes near the rim, their exact purpose remains uncertain.

Inspired by these archaeological finds and the dramatic geology of the Causeway Coast, this workshop explores the historic use of red ochre, a natural pigment used for centuries in body decoration, cave art and pottery.

Smoke-Fired Causeway Coast Incense Pots
During this two-hour experience, you will decorate two ceramic incense pots using techniques and designs inspired by local Bronze Age artefacts.

You will learn how to make your own ochre paint, use paper resists to create patterns and apply designs influenced by ancient local pottery. Your finished decoration will then be fixed using a combination of heat and sawdust to create a distinctive smoke-fired effect.

What’s Included
The experience includes all materials, two ceramic pots measuring approximately 7cm x 10cm, refreshments and tray bakes.

No previous pottery or craft experience is required, making this workshop suitable for beginners as well as anyone interested in Bronze Age history, archaeology, pottery, traditional crafts and things to do on the Causeway Coast.

The workshop has a maximum class size of six people, providing a relaxed and personal creative experience.