On a technical base a "ceramic" is basically a compound of earthen materials that aren't metallic in any way and is mashed together to form objects like pots and urns. The earliest of such form of art appears as figures and pots made out of clay. Normal characteristics of ceramics include low conductivity, high levels of hardness, and high melting temperatures. The word "ceramic" itself is derived from the Greek word "keramikos", which means "of pottery" or "for pottery".