The Mayor of Baena, María Jesús Serrano, inaugurated the initiative, highlighting that the site is transformed into a space for practical knowledge and training. The course focuses on reproducing ancestral techniques for the creation, decoration, and firing of ceramic pieces.
The collaboration between the Baena City Council and the University of Córdoba (UCO) is fundamental for the course's development. Ricardo Córdoba de la Llave, course director and UCO professor, thanked them for the funding and the use of the Archaeological Park grounds, which are essential for experimenting with the 'arts of fire'.
Archaeological experimentation aligns with the research focus of the Meridies research group at the UCO, which centers on Middle Ages technology, particularly in artisanal production. Previous editions have explored glass and ceramics, reproducing medieval decorations using historical technology.
As a new development, the next course will focus on reproducing a bread oven preserved at the site. The director noted that these courses offer practical experience impossible to conduct in a university setting, thus limiting the number of participants.
The course, running until Tuesday, July 21st, includes the construction of a kiln for metallic luster pottery, decorating clay pieces, and direct firing in the experimental archaeology field. This Tuesday's practical session will focus on glazing pieces with tin glazes and cobalt bases for gold luster application.
