2,700-Year-Old Iron Age Blacksmith Workshop Discovered In British Countryside, Reveal Artifacts of Metal Work
Excavations in England have led to archeologists finding a rare establishment from the Iron Age. The discovery happened in the Oxfordshire countryside, stated BBC. The location was in the middle of environmental charity Earth Trust's headquarters at Wittenham Clumps, near Abingdon. The project was undertaken by DigVentures between 2018 and 2020.
Researchers found several components like hearth lining, a building, several internal structures, and bits of metals, which made them speculate that an Iron Age blacksmith workshop once stood there. Radiocarbon dating of the artifacts revealed that the workshop dated from 771-515 B.C. This implied that the structure was established in the area soon after ironworking was introduced in Britain around 800 B.C.
Gerry McDonnell, the archaeometallurgical specialist who analyzed the artifacts found on the site called the discovery unique. He cited that the intact tuyere- a pipe that is used to blow air into a forge, is one of the few specimens of its kind to be located in Europe. "We get examples from later periods, including the Saxon, Viking, and medieval periods – and everyone gets excited when they find those. But finding one that dates back to the first few centuries of the iron age – and that’s complete – that’s what’s exceedingly rare, not only in Britain but in Europe," Maiya Pina-Dacier, an archaeologist with DigVentures said, stated The Guardian.
The size of the tuyere implied to researchers that the workshop operated on a larger level and had specialized artisans working in it. "The size of the tuyere tells you about the size of the hearth. In the Iron Age, most artifacts such as everyday tools were actually quite small. To produce small items, you only need a small hearth because they take up a lot of energy and are hard to control. You’d need a big hearth if you’re producing something large or long, and those things in the Iron Age are swords and cartwheels. Those kinds of artifacts could only be produced by the crème de la crème of smithies. This workshop was a very serious blacksmithing operation, something that’s quite out of the ordinary and special," Pina-Dacier explained.
As per researchers, almost every component of a blacksmith's workshop barring a few has been uncovered at the site. McDonell believes the workshop was used to make items like wagon wheels, tools, swords, and other tools, stated BBC. Archaeologists were ecstatic with the finding as it allowed them to learn about early ironworking in the country. "It's an incredible thrill to uncover something like this," Nat Jackson, site director at DigVentures said. "It basically allows us to peer back in time and see what could have been one of Britain's earliest master blacksmiths at work." Authorities of Earth Trust believe that such discoveries play a pivotal role in solving ancient mysteries associated with a region, stated The Guardian.
This is not the only Iron Age findings archaeologists have uncovered at the site, according to BBC. In the past, they have found an Iron Age pantry, a cluster of roundhouses, and proof of animal remains from that period in the region.