DOI article:
Klappauf, Lothar: Studies of the development and structure of early metal production
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.56859#0025
5
When, during 1987, it became necessary to excavate the smelting site at Jo-
hanneser Kurhaus near Clausthal-Zellerfeld (Klappauf, Linke 1989. Brockner
1994), in the heart of the Upper Harz, situated right on one of the most important
ore veins of the Upper Harz, we were rather keen to check our results in the min-
ing district itself. This excavation, which was concluded in 1991, gave us a new
idea about the importance of this kind of monument, which represents a period
about which historical sources are silent.
Here we are confronted with the only remains of an early medieval economic
system, the roots of which reach back into prehistoric times. They provide us not
only with information about the state of technicality. The diversity of monuments
as well as the preserved organic materials (Fig. 5) allows us to reconstruct the
relationships between the people and their environment. This transforms the
smelter sites into extraordinary archives of history (Klappauf 1991; 1993; 1995;
1996b).
The monuments
The cataloguing of all monuments (Fig. 6) is obviously one of the main con-
cerns in our works. According to the complexity of the problem, we distinguish
between several geographical sectors, which together form the Early Industrial
Region of the Harz and its vicinity. To uncover these relics, we have developed a
systematic procedural framework for our surveys, based on geochemical and
geophysical studies as well as on the classical fieldwork. After the discovery of a
new site there follows a number of systematic steps, from verbal description to
topographic survey and chemical and mineralogical analysis. Important supp-
lements are the different systematic digs, which help to interpret the fragmentary
results of the surveys. The combination of planned studies with accidental rescue
operations (Griep 1957; 1958; 1962; 1963; 1970), for example of old cemeteries
or deserted settlements add further information (Klappauf, Linke, Brockner,
Hillebrecht, Kuprat and Willerding 1994).
a. Mineral resources
Of course the choice of mining and smelting process was dictated by the dif-
ferent types of ore deposits. In the Harz Mountains, we can distinguish between
different deposits depending on their genesis and formation. Besides the well-
known deposit of Rammelsberg, with its microcrystalline copper and lead/silver
ores, there are the coarse lead/silver ores from the Upper Harz. Both can be dis-
When, during 1987, it became necessary to excavate the smelting site at Jo-
hanneser Kurhaus near Clausthal-Zellerfeld (Klappauf, Linke 1989. Brockner
1994), in the heart of the Upper Harz, situated right on one of the most important
ore veins of the Upper Harz, we were rather keen to check our results in the min-
ing district itself. This excavation, which was concluded in 1991, gave us a new
idea about the importance of this kind of monument, which represents a period
about which historical sources are silent.
Here we are confronted with the only remains of an early medieval economic
system, the roots of which reach back into prehistoric times. They provide us not
only with information about the state of technicality. The diversity of monuments
as well as the preserved organic materials (Fig. 5) allows us to reconstruct the
relationships between the people and their environment. This transforms the
smelter sites into extraordinary archives of history (Klappauf 1991; 1993; 1995;
1996b).
The monuments
The cataloguing of all monuments (Fig. 6) is obviously one of the main con-
cerns in our works. According to the complexity of the problem, we distinguish
between several geographical sectors, which together form the Early Industrial
Region of the Harz and its vicinity. To uncover these relics, we have developed a
systematic procedural framework for our surveys, based on geochemical and
geophysical studies as well as on the classical fieldwork. After the discovery of a
new site there follows a number of systematic steps, from verbal description to
topographic survey and chemical and mineralogical analysis. Important supp-
lements are the different systematic digs, which help to interpret the fragmentary
results of the surveys. The combination of planned studies with accidental rescue
operations (Griep 1957; 1958; 1962; 1963; 1970), for example of old cemeteries
or deserted settlements add further information (Klappauf, Linke, Brockner,
Hillebrecht, Kuprat and Willerding 1994).
a. Mineral resources
Of course the choice of mining and smelting process was dictated by the dif-
ferent types of ore deposits. In the Harz Mountains, we can distinguish between
different deposits depending on their genesis and formation. Besides the well-
known deposit of Rammelsberg, with its microcrystalline copper and lead/silver
ores, there are the coarse lead/silver ores from the Upper Harz. Both can be dis-