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#0041
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Copper smelting seems to have been more difficult at that time. The furnaces
are solid constructions (Fig. 18} with a superstructure reminiscent of the well-
known open shaft iron furnaces (Linke 1998). These furnaces were used to smelt
copper from Rammelsberg ore in the years from 800 to 1000 AD and the typical
plates and tapped slag remained. A hundred years later the construction of the
furnaces had changed. Changes to the superstructure allowed the slag to be
tapped. Consequently, the corresponding slags exhibit a typical flowing structure.
Another hundred years later, about 1200 AD, the furnaces had changed com-
pletely.
We now register the first highshaft furnaces with bellows driven by water
wheels. For this type of furnace, construction adjacent to a sufficient supply of
waterpower was mandatory. Consequently, we find these smelters near small
rivers with sufficient flow to drive the water wheels. Even the first artificial ponds
date from this time. The main product of this smelting technique still was copper,
but already since about 1100 AD it seems that the same sites produced lead, sil-
ver and copper.
During the following centuries, the smelting processes developed further and
further. The furnaces got bigger and the necessary amount of energy in form of
water also increased. Therefore the smelting sites are now found near rivers
which guaranteed a permanent supply of water, ponds were used as water reser-
voirs. At sites that meet these requirements, we find a concentration of smelting
operations spanning almost continuously up to the most recent times.
The migration of the smelting sites from the sources to the rivers at the edge
of the mountains has been illustrated (Fig. 19}, but there is another amazing phe-
nomenon. The mapping of early medieval smelting sites and the corresponding
slag types exhibits a sophisticated spreading (Fig. 20}. In the western part the
Harz is dominated by the smelting sites for copper from Rammelsberg, charac-
terised by their typical plate slags. In the centre of the Upper Harz, we find the
smelting sites for lead and silver from Upper Harz ores. In the south, between
Osterode and Clausthal we find a concentration of the slag sand. AH of these sites
can be dated to the years between 800 and 1050 AD. We call these areas „slag
provinces“ (Klappauf, Linke 1996) and consider them as indicative of the exis-
tence of different territories, either of workshops, or of dynasties. Recent studies
seem to support the latter theory.
Copper smelting seems to have been more difficult at that time. The furnaces
are solid constructions (Fig. 18} with a superstructure reminiscent of the well-
known open shaft iron furnaces (Linke 1998). These furnaces were used to smelt
copper from Rammelsberg ore in the years from 800 to 1000 AD and the typical
plates and tapped slag remained. A hundred years later the construction of the
furnaces had changed. Changes to the superstructure allowed the slag to be
tapped. Consequently, the corresponding slags exhibit a typical flowing structure.
Another hundred years later, about 1200 AD, the furnaces had changed com-
pletely.
We now register the first highshaft furnaces with bellows driven by water
wheels. For this type of furnace, construction adjacent to a sufficient supply of
waterpower was mandatory. Consequently, we find these smelters near small
rivers with sufficient flow to drive the water wheels. Even the first artificial ponds
date from this time. The main product of this smelting technique still was copper,
but already since about 1100 AD it seems that the same sites produced lead, sil-
ver and copper.
During the following centuries, the smelting processes developed further and
further. The furnaces got bigger and the necessary amount of energy in form of
water also increased. Therefore the smelting sites are now found near rivers
which guaranteed a permanent supply of water, ponds were used as water reser-
voirs. At sites that meet these requirements, we find a concentration of smelting
operations spanning almost continuously up to the most recent times.
The migration of the smelting sites from the sources to the rivers at the edge
of the mountains has been illustrated (Fig. 19}, but there is another amazing phe-
nomenon. The mapping of early medieval smelting sites and the corresponding
slag types exhibits a sophisticated spreading (Fig. 20}. In the western part the
Harz is dominated by the smelting sites for copper from Rammelsberg, charac-
terised by their typical plate slags. In the centre of the Upper Harz, we find the
smelting sites for lead and silver from Upper Harz ores. In the south, between
Osterode and Clausthal we find a concentration of the slag sand. AH of these sites
can be dated to the years between 800 and 1050 AD. We call these areas „slag
provinces“ (Klappauf, Linke 1996) and consider them as indicative of the exis-
tence of different territories, either of workshops, or of dynasties. Recent studies
seem to support the latter theory.