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Syrian Pottery Maker Keeps Family's 450-Year-Old Craft Alive

Published December 21st, 2020 - 08:08 GMT

Misak Antranik Petros who has originated from a pottery craft family is still using an ancient wheel to throw different shapes from clay. He is living on the Jaghjagh River in northeast Syria.

The 85-year-old Syrian man revealed this craft has been his family practice job for over 450 years. Petros adds he is originally from Armenia.

"The profession was passed down from one generation to another like an inheritance," he says. "Now, my son is taking it up."

Petros points out his workplace is located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli, administered by Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria.

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Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

The son of Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros carries vases for drying at his father's workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

The son of Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros carries vases for drying at his father's workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros watches his son Anto moulding a clay vase at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros watches his son Anto moulding a clay vase at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros arranges pottery vases at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros arranges pottery vases at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros walks outside his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros walks outside his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
The son of Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros carries vases for drying at his father's workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros watches his son Anto moulding a clay vase at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros arranges pottery vases at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros walks outside his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
The son of Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros carries vases for drying at his father's workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
The son of Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros carries vases for drying at his father's workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros watches his son Anto moulding a clay vase at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros watches his son Anto moulding a clay vase at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros arranges pottery vases at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros arranges pottery vases at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros uses an ancient pottery wheel to churn different types of pots at his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros walks outside his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Syrian-Armenian potter Misak Antranik Petros walks outside his workshop located inside an ancient mud-brick house near the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, on December 19, 2020. Petros was only a teenager when he had to take over for his sick father and become the main potter of the family. He has since become a master of the craft, and is keen to pass his skills on. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

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