The work of Freiberg's miners and metal smelters in ceramics

The influence of mining and metallurgical engineers processes and products at different times and places is historically on the conception and develop ment of ceramic documented. Their contribution stemmed from their specialis t knowledge of raw materials and their expertise in generating and working with high temperatures. The mining and metallurgical engineers in the Germa n town of Freiberg have played a prominent role, making a notable contribut ion to the development of ceramic production processes and products over ma ny years. The historical background to their activity is the advanced devel opment of mining and metallurgy in Saxony, which grew from the first roots in the 16th century to reach a zenith in the 17th and 18th centuries. This paper focuses on the contribution of Freiberg's miners and metal smelters t o the discovery of European hard porcelain and, beyond this, their influenc e on the continued development of ceramic technologies and products.