History of ceramic tiles

The long history of ceramic tiles is explained by the availability and wide distribution of the material for its manufacture, that is, clay. This inexpensive mineral has been present in human life since ancient times. With its help, ritual drawings were applied to the skin, dishes and jewelry were made, wounds were healed, communication with the gods was built, and housing was built.

Trypillian culture and the use of clay

It is believed that the first to use clay to strengthen their homes were the Trypillian culture, which existed on the territory of modern Ukraine in 5500-3000 BC. The walls of their buildings, which were made of wood, were fastened with a clay mixture from the outside and inside.

It was then fired over an open fire. This gave the structure strength and durability, prevented wood from rotting, helped retain heat inside the home, and provided reliable protection from the weather. Sometimes, before firing, drawings were applied to the clay, which is how the Trypillians decorated their homes.

Presumably, these were the first examples of people working with clay, which was exposed to high temperatures.

The origin of the word “ceramics”

It is unlikely that it will ever be possible to establish where the first ceramic tile, even remotely similar to the modern one, appeared. Every year, new data from archaeological excavations are published that supplement or refute previous conclusions.

The word “ceramics” is of Greek origin: “keramos” in translation means clay. This is the name of the suburb of Athens, where potters lived mainly, who made dishes, jewelry, bricks and other household items. At first, they used unburned bricks, and later improved production and switched to the process of firing products. This was the impetus for the creation of the first samples of tiles with a pattern and glazing.

Although most archaeologists do not consider Greece to be the first country to manufacture and use ceramic tiles.

The first samples of tiles in Mesopotamia and Persia

The earliest samples of tiles were discovered in Mesopotamia between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Outwardly, these tiles resembled bricks, but were somewhat thinner and had a glazed front side with a pattern.

Scientists have dated such finds to the 5th millennium BC. Such tiles remotely resembled mosaics, but unlike them, each sample had a solid pattern, and was not part of a larger fragment.

Turquoise shades were mainly used for glaze, and floral, animal and geometric motifs were used as ornaments. Since the production process was very complex and time-consuming, the cost of such tiles was too high for ordinary people. Therefore, they decorated palaces and houses of nobles, religious buildings, temples.

Researchers are almost unanimous in the opinion that tiles similar to modern ones were first made in ancient Iran at the turn of the 5th-6th centuries BC. The craftsmen of that time achieved unprecedented skill, their products were distinguished by extraordinary strength, durability, original design, variety of patterns and bright colors. The samples that have survived to this day still delight the eye with their unique beauty.

The spread of ceramic tiles in Europe and America

The conquest of European countries with tiles began in Spain. It was here that immigrants from Persia brought the technology and established the production of this decorative building material. But after the expulsion of Muslims from the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century, the Catholic Church took possession of all the secrets of tile making. Thanks to the efforts of its representatives, the production process was improved, and the tile is gaining popularity in many countries.

In particular, the name of the extremely exquisite tile “majolica” comes from the name of the Italian island of Mallorca. Around the 9th-10th century, local craftsmen obtained a type of decorative ceramics with a colored base and an original pattern by pressing. This type of tile is in demand all over the world to this day.

In the 18th century, American traders brought ceramic tiles from Europe to various countries on the continent. Those first samples can still be seen in many historical buildings of that time. They decorated government institutions, houses of wealthy citizens, theaters, galleries and exhibition halls.

Ceramic tiles and the present

Currently, ceramics are not a luxury item and are available to anyone who wants to make a unique, practical and durable repair. Thanks to new modern technologies, the construction market offers a wide range of tiles and will be able to satisfy the needs of the most demanding buyer.

It is very easy to get confused among the variety of colors, shades, patterns, shapes, sizes, properties and areas of application. That is why it is better to choose finishing materials together with professionals. Only a master with sufficient experience will be able to choose high-quality ceramic tiles based on your needs.