Archaeologists study Iron Age site in France

Archaeologists are discussing findings from the Weyersheim site in Bas-Rhin, France, which was excavated in 2014. The site dates back to the transition between the first and second Iron Age, known as the Hallstatt D3-La Tène period.

Workshop for iron processing uncovered

The excavation revealed a forge workshop with two pits containing nearly 188 complete tuyères, hammering stones, and 16 granite anvil stones. These items suggest the site was used for post-reduction iron processing, a key stage in metalworking.

Furnace fragments show high temperatures

Among the findings were 26 kg of terracotta fragments, including parts of furnace walls. Some of these show signs of internal vitrification, indicating the furnaces reached temperatures between 1,100 °C and 1,300 °C, necessary for working iron without melting it.

Furnace design details revealed

One furnace fragment from pit 1014 was square, with sides about 20 cm long and an air vent near the bottom. Similar fragments have been found at other Iron Age sites, though this one is larger and more complete than some previously discovered examples.

Two stages of iron production identified

Archaeometallurgical analysis showed that the site had two distinct stages of iron production: initial processing of raw or slightly purified iron, followed by shaping into objects. These processes were common in protohistoric forge hearths, which were typically dug into the ground or semi-buried.

Chemical analysis reveals single iron source

A detailed analysis of 300 hammer scale fragments found near slags and anvils showed a unique and uniform chemical signature. This suggests all the iron used at the site came from a single unknown source, indicating a possible centralized supply or mining operation.