What is the correct term for materials that may be baked in a kiln or dried in the sun?

The term most commonly associated with materials that can be baked in a kiln or dried in the sun is known as earthenware. This classification refers to a type of pottery that is made from clay and fired at relatively low temperatures. Earthenware is characterized by its porous nature, allowing it to be shaped into various forms and designs before the drying and firing processes.

When earthenware is subjected to heat, it undergoes a transformation, becoming more durable and taking on a specific color and texture depending on the clay and finishing techniques used. While ceramics encompass a broader category that includes not just earthenware but also stoneware and porcelain, the specific reference to materials that can be sun-dried or kiln-fired aligns closely with earthenware.

Pottery is an even broader term that encompasses all objects made from clay and formed into shape before being fired, which can include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Stoneware, specifically, refers to a higher-fired type of ceramic that is typically denser and stronger than earthenware and does not usually involve sun drying. Thus, considering these definitions, earthenware is the most accurate choice for materials that can specifically be dried in the sun or fired in a kiln.