Peter Crew

Abstract

Over a number of years iron working experiments have been carried out, based on the use of bog iron ores. The smelting has been done in a variety of low shaft furnaces, without slag tapping, and the products have been smithed to billet, bar and artefact. The smelting and, especially, the smithing processes are described in some detail, with discussion of some of the practical problems encountered.
In the most successful experiment yet carried out the whole bloom was smithed to make a currency bar. The yield of iron and the losses at various stages of the process are given, together with a quantification of the resources required. lt is estimated that the production of one kilogram of fully smithed bar iron required about 100kg of charcoal and about 25 man-day's work.

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References
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How to Cite
The Experimental Production of Prehistoric Bar Iron. (2022). Historical Metallurgy, 25(1), 21-36. https://hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/553
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