Primitive Technology: Purifying Clay By Sedimentation and Making Pots

Purifying Clay By sedimentation and Making Pots

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About This Video:
Naturally occurring clay usually has impurities such as rocks and sand in it. There's a way to remove these by mixing the clay in suspension and draining that water off leaving the impurities behind. I started by digging a pit to receive the clay. Then dug clay from the creek bed and put it next to the pit in a pile. Water was mixed into the pile and it was allowed to sit for a while. The water/clay mixture was then drained off into the collection pit where it settled. This was done a number of times. After settling and the water seeping out, the pure clay was mixed with grog (crushed old pottery) and made into pots. The pots were fired and of good quality, making a ringing noise when flicked indicating no cracks or weakness. This method of purifying clay saves a lot of time and effort by removing the step of manually removing rocks from the clay body.

About Primitive Technology:
Primitive technology is a hobby where you build things in the wild completely from scratch using no modern tools or materials. These are the strict rules: If you want a fire, use a fire stick - An axe, pick up a stone and shape it - A hut, build one from trees, mud, rocks etc. The challenge is seeing how far you can go without utilizing modern technology. I do not live in the wild, but enjoy building shelter, tools, and more, only utilizing natural materials. To find specific videos, visit my playlist tab for building videos focused on pyrotechnology, shelter, weapons, food & agriculture, tools & machines, and weaving & fiber.

#PrimitiveTechnology #claypot #howtomakeclay

[primitivetechnology]

This should help with the time consuming step of getting sticks and rocks out of clay. Once you have a sedimentation pit you just top it up with clay and water each time you walk past and you'll have a clean source of clay handy for good quality pottery.

[BinaryCounter]

I appreciate that long uninterrupted shot of you starting the fire. Showcases how much effort goes into each little step of your craft. These videos are always such a treat to watch, slow, no music, no effects, just you and your craft, nicely shot and edited.

[Anayalator]

Please don't ever skip the fire-making process, that was a beautiful capture of human determination. I love how refined the process is for you, now, but you still treat each time as importantly as the last.

[markuslouw]

I’m a potter, I learned to to pottery around the same time I discovered your videos. You went away for so long and in that time I’ve learned so much and gained an appreciation for it, and to have you come back now doing pottery in a primitive context strikes something really deep within me. Pottery is one of the oldest art forms and it’s principles carry through time. All potters are connected through the art, and you especially have found a way to connect to our oldest art “ancestors”. It’s tremendously moving.

[daikansanchez]

Your whole channel is a study in reconstructive archeology.

I can actually picture our ancestors of old developing this process through trial and error, and out of necessity to simplify things.

You are truly a gift to humanity my good man.

[GamingBT]

Honestly, regardless of the subject matter, this is a prime example of why YouTube is such a great medium (and the internet in general). We get these educational, high quality, high effort videos, completely void of any advertising or time-wasting. It's just 100% content we get to enjoy and learn from, completely free of charge. Thank you so much!

[DameBlack]

this channel makes me realise just how much labour and skill goes into everything we take for granted. like, it takes so much effort and knowledge to make something as "simple" as a clay pot and here I am with a supercomputer in my back pocket. and that wouldn't have been possible without the sheer genius of ancient people whose innovations seem so basic and primitive to us now - but you show just how technical-minded and skilled they must have been. thank you!

[joecolvin]

I remember when I discovered your channel years ago. This was before your land spot you used with the water hammer. I was hooked after the first one I saw (making stone hammer or knife, some tool that required you to braid grass(?) or plant). Then you had a book come out and I was really impressed by that. Glad to still see your doing well and putting out videos. Thank you for the hours of enjoyment you have given me!

[JLock_]

Not only does the clay look good, it looks higher quality and you can produce more much more quickly. I think this jump in efficiency is pretty impressive.

[RainusBrainus]

I love that you are continually streamlining your processes. Every new video we get to see days worth of tinkering and experimentation in a matter of minutes.

[jakeryan]

I love that I never feel like I have to skip any parts of your videos. You edit them perfectly.

[SeabornNomad]

This is the only genuine primitive channel I've ever seen. The rest use machines behind the scenes and try to cover it up. Thanks for all your hard work! I really enjoy the learning experience, and it's also sort of asmr for me. Thank for being genuine as well!

[SerPurple]

I'm very impressed by how well he's refining all of his techniques to make a higher quality product. Can't wait to see the next house he builds. It's going to be amazing!

[bryanginn]

His dedication to this channel and the education he provides will always be appreciated!

[paykore]

I love this dude's arc he had with the fire-sticks. He went from "Dang, making fire this way sure is rough, I'll make a tool to make it easier" to "I got good, the tool just slows me down." Incredible.

[lucyx]

it's impressive how close in pitch the sounds of tapping the different pots were, it's a neat show of consistency

[bertberw]

Nothing makes me happy nowadays as a new Primitive Technology video. I'm so glad that John is back to posting regularly.

[ner_tater]

Often imitated but never duplicated; the original and still the best. I am SO glad you're making videos again! This is by far my favorite YouTube channel.

[arturilkaev]

Thank you for teaching us to appreciate the level of civilisation we reached so far.

[nickolas.h]

The purified mud awoke a deep memory I had when I was a child. I don't exactly remember the place, but the feeling when I touched the wet "pure" mud was so satisfying and felt like the soil was alive. This channel is so special in a spiritual way.