[blam]

"The Jomon are known for their elaborate earthenware, which they often decorated with cord (rope) impressions."

Cord-pottery has been found in the Olmec ruins in Mexico.

[dennisw]

I'm sure you know that Kyocera was originally a ceramics company. Japan is volcanic islands and they are clay masters according to your National Geographic magazines with their "Japanese Living Treasures"

My dad is a potter by hobby. Other day I bounced a 133mhz Intel chip off his kitchen table and he could tell this was a ceramic. A silicon ceramic to be sure.