The Bestwall Quarry Archaeology Project established that Purbeck Clays have been used in Potteries since the Bronze Age.  

The Durotriges (a Celtic tribe living Dorset), produced pottery on the edge of the Frome from the Bronze age. When the Romans arrived the pottery continued in production, but in AD220 was extended to thirty two kiln-type structures. These produced enormous quantities of 'Black Burnished Ware' until AD410. that  was exported all over England, Wales and as far as northern France for use by the Roman army. The pottery continued into Saxon times 

The Romans also had  potteries at Corfe, Studland and Arne.

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Another clay extracted from Purbeck was Alum Clay which was an inferior quality of Ball Clay containing as much as 23.5% Alumina and was used for the production of Alum. At the 1851 Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace in Hyde park both the Pike Brothers and Benjamin Fayle were offering Alum Clay for sale.