Duncan Miller Nikolaas J van der Merwe

Abstract

This paper describes aspects of the metal working technology employed during the 17th-19th centuries AD at the site of Nqoma, excavated by James Denbow and Edwin Wilmsen, in NW Botswana. A detailed metallographic analysis of eleven artefacts showed that the indigenous Late Iran Age fabrication technology did not differ significantly from its Early Iron Age counterpart. Forging, and possibly smelting, of iron took place at the site. Inhomogeneous bloomery iron was used in conjunction with scrap metal to forge items of jewellery and small tools in an oxidising hearth. The forging technique was generally poor, with surface oxide
scale incorporated in welds, and with no control over subsequent heat treatment. Copper was worked in the same way, leaving the metal in its annealed state.

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How to Cite
Late Iron Age metal working at Nqoma, Tsodilo Hills, northwestern Botswana. (2022). Historical Metallurgy, 29(2), 94-103. https://hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/443
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