Zhunan Snake Kiln Ancient Kiln Ecological Museum Introduction
Upon hearing "snake kiln," one might easily associate it with snakes and mistakenly think its shape is curvy. However, the snake kiln is elongated and has no divisions in the middle. In the early days of Taiwan, snake kilns were common throughout the country, used for firing everyday pottery. Due to their fragile preservation, few snake kilns remain in Taiwan today. The Zhunan Snake Kiln was established in 1972, originally measuring 23 meters in length, but now only 17 meters remain. It is one of the few well-preserved snake kilns in Taiwan and is still capable of producing finished products. As a result, it was selected as one of the Hundred Historical Buildings by the National Cultural Heritage Commission in 2001 and registered as a historic site in Miaoli County, highlighting its significance. Although it has traditional architecture, the management philosophy of the Zhunan Snake Kiln is anything but traditional. It incorporates innovative ideas into the ancient pottery-firing techniques, transforming the kiln's role from a mere firing location to a platform for promoting traditional ceramic culture. The kiln master is not only dedicated to teaching traditional pottery production but also regularly holds pottery exhibitions, earnestly promoting ceramic arts. This effort not only preserves traditional craftsmanship but also showcases remarkable expressions in modern art. With the infusion of new spirit, it is foreseeable that the skills of pottery making will not perish and can be sustainably passed down through generations.
