New methods of microscopic observation and analysis have been applied to the interpretation of outstanding ceramic wares. The overview covers a history of ceramics, ceramic science, ceramic technology, and object examination (which is an explanation of the methodology). 11 ceramic objects are subjected to an intensive examination, analysis, and evaluation of the technology by which each was made; a study of the external structure and internal microstructure makes it possible to infer how, where, and when an object was made: the macrostructure reveals the forming procedures; the microstructure relates the raw materials to the processing methods; and the individual constituent compositions affect behavior during firing and contribute to the color and other properties of the ware. Ceramic technology is further elaborated upon, the basic science covering topics of structure, capillarity, and the effects of temperature. Shaping and firing covers types of ceramic bodies, the methods of shaping and drying, finishing and firing. Various aspects of glazes are the materials, application, and processing of the material. Seeing and studying ceramics describes what can be learned from visual examination and from other analytical techniques. Dating, replication of ethnographic objects, identification of forgeries and copies are discussed in this section as well.