Determination of clay-rich soils and traditional terra sigillata coatings of the Çukurova region and their aplikation in present ceramic designs

?Terra Sigillata? means sealed earth, it was used as a sealer and a type of decorative slip on ceramics giving hardness and semi-brightness during the Roman and Greek eras. Throughout time ?Terra Sigillata? name was given to these wares that were not much in depthness but the inner surfaces were seals that were decorated. This name has been recognized in time with or without the use of embossing, usually in red and black ceramics material ware usage that gives a semi-pale surface.It is believed that the use of Terra Sigillata techniques were started in the 30?s B.C. The most important area that was produced in was Arretium (Arezzo) in Italy. It has spread from here to Egypt, England and even to India.It is thought with the rise of trading between the Far East and the West, one could see many similarities in the different produced crafts of both regions especially in the 1st AD century.The eastern part of the Roman Empire, particularly the settlements of Western Anotolia, the Aegean Islands, Anatolia, Egypt and Syria- Paletsine which have their own specific clay and sealing together with specific red sealing structure has been found. The Early Tarsus Roman ceramics has been dated in that century.Recently it has taken the attention of many ceramics craftsmen and the usage has increased because it has been made of natural polished clay and the alternative firing methods and the sensitiveness of fume effects. The birthplace and the development of Terra Sigillata was in Ancient Rome and Greece.In the Cukurova region with its rich clay soil research has been made on the usability of Terra Sigillata and the results found have shown that these works of design was used.Key Words: Terra Sigillata, slip, ceramic, clay