Handful of Iron Beads Offer Clues to Solve Mystery of Ancient Iron Forges

ScienceDaily ^ | Thursday, December 31, 2009 | Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), via AlphaGalileo

[SunkenCiv]

When archaeologist Ruth Iren Øien noticed a cluster of tiny iron beads in the ground, she knew she was onto something. She did not know, however, that her team had stumbled upon Scandinavia's oldest and most complex group of iron forges... The iron beads were first found in November 2008, right at the very end of a highly weather-dependent field season in Norway. With frost about to set in, further investigation had to wait until the summer of 2009. But in July, Øien's team returned to the site. The iron beads that had piqued Øien's interest were only 1 to1.5 millimetres in diameter. But they were sufficient to make her realize they might be residue from a smithy. It turned out she was right, but the number of forges on the small field surprised everyone... The excavations uncovered more than 200 construction-related artefacts, including post holes, forges, fireplaces and wall ditches. "Even though we have only uncovered half of the area, we have already found seven forges," says Preben RØnne, the museum's project manager for the site... The forges were found at Forsetmoen, a rural area about 1.5 hours south of Trondheim, Norway. The scientists believe the location is anything but coincidental.

[SunkenCiv]

Some forge beads from the forges. (Credit: Photo by Tove Eivindsen/NTNU Museum)

[SunkenCiv]

Preben RØnne and Ruth Iren Øien at the artifact storage room, looking at the material from the forges. Photo: Tove Eivindsen/NTNU Museum

(different source and story link)

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=20202
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitenskapsmuseet/sets/72157622904382578
http://blog.norway.com/tag/forsetmoen/

[SunkenCiv]

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[Hugin]

"The iron was produced in the smaller side valleys, and transported to Forsetmoen for refining. From there iron artefacts have been transported to the larger farms further out. Maybe they've been sold even further," Rønne says.

Stands to reason. The first iron was made from black sand found along stream beds.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Hugin.

[imjimbo]

Thanks guys-! This stuff interests me greatly, as you’ll see if you visit jmsknives.com To see some of my handiwork-! Bladesmithing is a hobby of mine-! Any feedback appreciated-!

[Ciexyz]

Most interesting.

[JRandomFreeper]

a rural area about 1.5 hours south of Trondheim, Norway

That certainly clears up the location....

/johnny

[Chode]

What is the riddle of steel???

[Pharmboy]

Great post...interesting stuff.

[Brugmansian]

Might have been bog iron. Wish these articles gave more information.

[texas booster]

Your site reminded me of some great discussions on swordsmithy and steel.

Secret's Out For Saracens Sabres (Damascus Steel)

A Brief History of Steel

Forging perfection:A look at a modern Japanese Master Sowrdsmith (longish read but GREAT photos)

Sharpest cut from nanotube sword-Carbon nanotech may have given swords of Damascus their edge

The Samurai And The Ainu (Read This Before Seeing The Movie "The Last Samurai")

[gleeaikin]

In New Jersey, the early colonial iron manufacturing used “bog iron”. Clumps of sand and rust that had consolidated from the action of acidic waters caused by the local plants and trees.

[Yardstick]

That brief history of steel link is fantastic — just the right length and amount of detail.

[philman_36]

What is the riddle of steel???

"This you can trust."

[Chode]

absolutely...

[Hotmetal]

Thanks for posting this I do blacksmithing for a hobbie.

[colorado tanker]

Hattori Hanzo: Who is he, may I ask?
The Bride: Hattori Hanzo.
Hattori Hanzo: [Serious, switches to Japanese] What do you want with Hattori Hanzo?
The Bride: [Japanese] I need Japanese steel.
Hattori Hanzo: [Japanese] Why do you need Japanese steel?
The Bride: [Japanese] I have vermin to kill.
Hattori Hanzo: [English] You must have big rats if you need Hattori Hanzo's steel.
The Bride: [English] ... Huge.