Part 5/8:
Initially, early ovens were simple holes dug into the ground filled with hot coals. Over time, around 25,000 years ago, pottery ovens emerged in the Indus Valley, evolving into mud-brick constructions, which then transformed into the first true kitchen stoves during the Roman Empire. By the Middle Ages, communal ovens became the norm in villages, providing a space where people could bake their bread, often as part of a feudal lord's rights and regulations.
Stove technology continued to evolve significantly, especially with the introduction of chimneys in the 12th century, which greatly reduced indoor smoke. Advances were made in Central Europe with the creation of indoor clay ovens designed to retain heat while minimizing smoke inside living areas.