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Palaeomagnetic data obtained from archaeological materials are used for reconstructions of the Earth's magnetic field of the past millennia. While many studies tested the reliability of this recorder for palaeointensity only a few studies did this for direction. The study presents an archaeomagnetic and rock magnetic investigation applied to an experimental pottery kiln, which was operated in 2003 to produce stone ware. This kind of high-quality pottery needs a temperature of at least 1160 °C. Shortly before heating of the kiln direct absolute measurements of the absolute geomagnetic field vector have been carried out close to it. After cooling of the kiln 24 oriented palaeomagnetic samples have been taken. Although Curie temperatures are about 580 °C, that is the typical temperature for magnetite, thermal as well as alternating field demagnetisations reveal also a considerable amount of hematite as magnetic carrier. This mixture of magnetite and hematite is dominated by pseudo-single domain grains. Demagnetisation removed in some cases weak secondary components, but in most cases the specimens carried a single component thermoremanent magnetisation. The mean characteristic remanent magnetisation direction agrees on 95 per cent confidence level with the directly measured field direction. Archaeointensity was obtained from five specimens with the Thellier-Coe method and with the multiple-specimen palaeointensity domain-state corrected method. Six of these specimens also provided a result of the Dekkers-Böhnel method, which overestimated the archaeointensity by about 9 per cent compared to the direct value, while after correction for fraction the value agrees very well. For the multiple-specimen palaeointensity domain-state corrected method only fractions between 25 and 75 per cent have been used and specimens showing alteration have been excluded. Above 450 °C many specimens showed alteration of the magnetic grains. Because median destructive temperatures were often above this value in most cases the fraction was less than 50 per cent. Nevertheless the obtained intensity (48.48 ± 0.24 μ) is on 95 per cent confidence level in agreement with the direct observation. Behaviour of the specimens during the Thellier-experiments was not ideal because of narrow unblocking temperature spectra and alteration. Nevertheless, the obtained mean archaeointensity is also in agreement with the direct field observation. Here the relative palaeointensity error is about 6 per cent and very high compared the multiple-specimen palaeointensity domain-state corrected method. The investigation demonstrates that a pottery kiln can provide a very precise estimate of the ancient geomagnetic field vector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article features Sabine Classen, an artist, and discusses her work. Classen was born in Leonberg, Germany, and built a residential studio in Grötzingen, Karlsruhe in 2005, where artists' colonies have thrived since 1900. It describes her studio, and states that she studied design and later ceramics at several universities in the country. Works featured include "Basel I," Two--Liner," and "3 x (infinity symbol) + 2 x 0."

The article features Birgit Brühl, a ceramicist, and discusses her work. Brühl was born in Cologne, Germany but lives in Bergen, Norway where she teaches ceramics and participates in various exhibits and competitions. She apprenticed under several masters at different universities, and that in 2010, she shared the Diessen Keramikpreis award with Markus Klausmann. Sample works featured include "man at work," "Jars and Carafes" and some bowls.

The article focuses on the life and works of ceramic sculptor Christine Möhring. It notes that Mohring, who was born in Bad Driburg in 1962, has took up a number of work experience placements in potteries in Krefeld, Germany, in which she has contributed to the production of traditional functional ware and ceramics for the construction industry. Also offered are the ceramic works of the sculptor which include "Vessel" and "Kokons 4."