Bible Dictionaries
Clay

Holman Bible Dictionary

A basic building and artistic material for people in biblical times. Clay consisted of various types of dirt or sand combined with water to form a material which could be molded into bricks for building, sculptures, pottery, toys, or writing tablets. A piece of clay marked by a signet ring gave proof of ownership or approval. The type of dirt—sand, quartz, flint, limestone—along with coloring patterns gives archaeologists a key for dating deposits uncovered from ancient sites.