Reconstructing a blacksmithing ‘landscape’: Saxon smithing at Wharram Percy
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Published
Nov 8, 2021
Abstract
Excavations of smithy workshops are rare, and in many cases the assemblage is split up and its components (slag, artefacts and ceramics) are sent to different specialists. We instead argue that only through analysis of the entire assemblage will the whole picture be revealed. This paper re-interprets the evidence from the smithy at Wharram Percy in a holistic way, setting it in its landscape and considering how it functioned. Three generic ironworking ‘landscape’ models are proposed, all of which can be applied to any site, at any period. Combined metallographic analysis of iron artefacts and archaeometallurgical analysis of the slag, along with the detailed examination of the entire smithing assemblage revealed that the Wharram smithy fitted the most complex of our models. The evidence also allows us to suggest the skill level of the Wharram Percy smith. This paper demonstrates the potential of integrated archaeometallurgical and artefact research when interpreting an ironworking site.
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References
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Ottaway P 1992, Anglo-Scandinavian ironwork from 16–22 Coppergate (York: The archaeology of York 17/6).
Rogers N S H 1993, Anglian and other finds from 46–54 Fishergate (York: The archaeology of York 17/9).
Serneels V and Perret S 2003, ‘Quantification of Smithing Activities based on the Investigation of Slag and Other Material Remains’, in Proceedings of the International Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe 1 (Milan), 469–479.
Stamper P and Croft R A 2000, Wharram. A Study of Settlement on the Yorkshire Wolds, VIII. The South Manor Area (York: York University Publications 10).
Tylecote R E 1986, The prehistory of metallurgy in the British Isles. (London: The institute of metals).
Wheeler J 2011, ‘Charcoal analysis of industrial fuelwood from medieval and early modern iron-working sites in Bilsdale and Rievaulx, North Yorkshire, UK: evidence for species selection and rotational woodland management’, Environmental Archaeology 16(1), 16–35.
Chabot N 2007, Modelling of inclusions in forged iron artefacts, unpublished MSc thesis, University of Bradford, Bradford.
Daoust A B 2007, The nature and composition of blacksmithing residues and their connection to weld-line slag inclusions, unpublished MSc thesis, University of Bradford, Bradford.
Dungworth D and Wilkes R 2009, ‘Understanding hammerscale: the use of high-speed film and electron microscopy’, Historical Metallurgy 43(1), 33–46.
Hall R 2007, Exploring the world of the Vikings (New York). Hinton D A 2005, Gold and gilt, pots and pins: possessions and people in medieval Britain (Oxford).
Kresten P, Hjärthner-Holdar E and Larsson L 1998, Geochemistry in Archaeometallurgy. Geoarchaeology Buma IV (Japan).
McDonnell G 1986, ‘Ore to artefact: A study of early ironworking technology’, in J E Jones (ed), Aspects of ancient mining and metallurgy: acta of a British School at Athens centenary conference at Bangor (Bangor), 122–128.
McDonnell G 1987, ‘The study of Early Iron Smelting Residues’, in B G Scott, H Cleere and R F Tylecote (eds), The crafts of the blacksmith: essays presented to R. F. Tylecote at the 1984 symposium of the UISPP Comitâe pour la Sidurgie ancienne (Belfast), 47–52.
McDonnell G 1989, ‘Iron and its alloys in the fifth to eleventh centuries AD in England’, World Archaeology 20(3), 373–381.
McDonnell G, 2000, ‘The ironworking evidence’, in P Stamper and R A Croft (eds), Wharram. A Study of Settlement on the Yorkshire Wolds, VIII. The South Manor area (York: York University Publications 10) 155–166.
McDonnell G, Blakelock E S, Rubinson S R, Chabot N, Daoust A B and Castagnino V 2012, ‘The iron economy of Saxon Wharram Percy: modelling the Saxon iron working landscape’, in S Wrathmell (ed), Wharram. A study of Settlement on the Yorkshire Wolds, XIII. A History of Wharram Percy and its Neighbours (York: York University Publications 15).
McDonnell J G and Mills A 1992, The identification and analysis of the hammerscale from Burton Dassett, Warwickshire (London: Unpublished English Heritage Ancient Monuments Laboratory Report 1992/47).
Ottaway P 1992, Anglo-Scandinavian ironwork from 16–22 Coppergate (York: The archaeology of York 17/6).
Rogers N S H 1993, Anglian and other finds from 46–54 Fishergate (York: The archaeology of York 17/9).
Serneels V and Perret S 2003, ‘Quantification of Smithing Activities based on the Investigation of Slag and Other Material Remains’, in Proceedings of the International Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe 1 (Milan), 469–479.
Stamper P and Croft R A 2000, Wharram. A Study of Settlement on the Yorkshire Wolds, VIII. The South Manor Area (York: York University Publications 10).
Tylecote R E 1986, The prehistory of metallurgy in the British Isles. (London: The institute of metals).
Wheeler J 2011, ‘Charcoal analysis of industrial fuelwood from medieval and early modern iron-working sites in Bilsdale and Rievaulx, North Yorkshire, UK: evidence for species selection and rotational woodland management’, Environmental Archaeology 16(1), 16–35.
How to Cite
Blakelock, E., McDonnell, G., Rubinson, S., Chabot, N., Daoust, A., & Clark, A. (2021). Reconstructing a blacksmithing ‘landscape’: Saxon smithing at Wharram Percy. Historical Metallurgy, 48(1 & 2), 47-54. https://hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/89
Section
Articles
How to Cite
Blakelock, E., McDonnell, G., Rubinson, S., Chabot, N., Daoust, A., & Clark, A. (2021). Reconstructing a blacksmithing ‘landscape’: Saxon smithing at Wharram Percy. Historical Metallurgy, 48(1 & 2), 47-54. https://hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/89