Ceramic Industry

The earliest pottery found in Staffordshire dates from the Neolithic period (c. 2500— 1900 B.C.). A later kiln site found at Trent Vale was exploiting local clays during the Roman period to produce a distinctive provincial pottery, but two pottery kilns of about 1300— 1400 A.D. found in Sneyd Green markthe beginning of an unbroken development of pottery production in North Staffordshire from the Medieval period. In common with many craftsmen early potters were also involved in agriculture but during the 17th century, as local men exploited the rich local resources of clay, coal and water, North Staffordshire became a specialist pottery producing area.

Geographical and geological features originally influenced the siting of the industrial towns that, by the late 18th century, were referred to collectively as the Potteries. The line of Stoke Fenton Longton followed the path of the Newcastle — Derby turnpike road, thus providing easier transport; the line of Tunstall Burslem Hanley followed the outcrop of the Blackband group of the Coal Measures whith provides coal and clay in close proximity. Stoke-on -Trent was the communications focus of these two lines, a situation enhanced by the arrival of the railways whose main station was also there. This was one of the contributing factors that led to the federation of the six main pottery towns being known as Stoke-on-Trent.