DOI article:
Linke, Friedrich-Albert: Archaeological survey of monuments of early mining and smelting in the Harz Mountains
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.56859#0072
48
b. Medieval „smelters in the woods“ of the 10th—11th century -
situated often in the transition from a steep valley
to the surrounding plateau on exposed upstream sites
These sites exhibit clear vegetation anomalies around the slagheaps. They are
often located at the transition from a steep embankment to a plateau along a wind-
exposed edge. The heaps stretch below an artificially formed working level and
consist of tapped slag as well as plate slags.
14C-dating, palaeomagnetic measurements and ceramics place these finds in
the 10th—11th century AD.
The excavation of a section of such a smelter revealed two staged working
levels in the furnace area. The upper working level was used for the storage of
materials such as charcoal and slags in pits, prepared for this purpose. On this
level, fine fractions were separated by sieving. However, its primary purpose was
for feeding the small shaft furnace, which was erected at its lower boundary. This
upper level corresponds to the furnace top of modem blast furnaces.
On the lower working level, extending to the side of the furnace, preserved
kindling was found and a reddish brown discoloration of the soil indicated its
exposure to heat resulting for example from the tapping of slag.
The lower part of the furnace is preserved as a crucible of approximately
0.60 m diameter formed with stone plates. The crucible had been sealed with a
mixture of clay and charcoal mixture, of which only fragments have been
preserved. Since tap and jet openings are absent in this part it must be assumed
that they were located higher up in parts of the furnace structure which have not
been preserved.
From the basis of the furnace base a small slightly curved depression could be
traced in which a clay coated piece of elder had been inserted. Its upper end had
been covered with a carefully shaped piece of slag. This can only be interpreted
as magic, since elder is used in traditional healing to regulate heat and to keep
earth spirits away.
The analyses show that these sites were used to smelt copper at approximately
1300-1400 °C from ore originating from Rammelsberg.
c. Medieval „smelters in the woods“ of the 12th—13th century -
situated on small streams in high valleys, not particularly exposed
These finds are situated along the embankment of streams or in valley meads,
on not particularly exposed sites. They are recognised by the presence of clearly
b. Medieval „smelters in the woods“ of the 10th—11th century -
situated often in the transition from a steep valley
to the surrounding plateau on exposed upstream sites
These sites exhibit clear vegetation anomalies around the slagheaps. They are
often located at the transition from a steep embankment to a plateau along a wind-
exposed edge. The heaps stretch below an artificially formed working level and
consist of tapped slag as well as plate slags.
14C-dating, palaeomagnetic measurements and ceramics place these finds in
the 10th—11th century AD.
The excavation of a section of such a smelter revealed two staged working
levels in the furnace area. The upper working level was used for the storage of
materials such as charcoal and slags in pits, prepared for this purpose. On this
level, fine fractions were separated by sieving. However, its primary purpose was
for feeding the small shaft furnace, which was erected at its lower boundary. This
upper level corresponds to the furnace top of modem blast furnaces.
On the lower working level, extending to the side of the furnace, preserved
kindling was found and a reddish brown discoloration of the soil indicated its
exposure to heat resulting for example from the tapping of slag.
The lower part of the furnace is preserved as a crucible of approximately
0.60 m diameter formed with stone plates. The crucible had been sealed with a
mixture of clay and charcoal mixture, of which only fragments have been
preserved. Since tap and jet openings are absent in this part it must be assumed
that they were located higher up in parts of the furnace structure which have not
been preserved.
From the basis of the furnace base a small slightly curved depression could be
traced in which a clay coated piece of elder had been inserted. Its upper end had
been covered with a carefully shaped piece of slag. This can only be interpreted
as magic, since elder is used in traditional healing to regulate heat and to keep
earth spirits away.
The analyses show that these sites were used to smelt copper at approximately
1300-1400 °C from ore originating from Rammelsberg.
c. Medieval „smelters in the woods“ of the 12th—13th century -
situated on small streams in high valleys, not particularly exposed
These finds are situated along the embankment of streams or in valley meads,
on not particularly exposed sites. They are recognised by the presence of clearly