Iron

Tammy Hodgskiss is the Curator at the Origins Centre museum, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Tammy is an archaeologist and received her PhD in 2013 from Wits University.

I first completed an apprenticeship as a blacksmith and then undertook further training in the field of occupational health and safety.

I am involved in community archaeological excavation projects as well as experimental archaeology mostly based on the early medieval period. I also organise living history courses in Viking Age metalwork techniques.

I graduated in Cultural Heritage Management with a thesis on Anthropology in 2011. I published two articles with EXARC (2013-2 and 2018-3) and a book published in 2018 ("I guerrieri Piceni").

I started working in the experimental field while still studying at the university. Mostly I do reconstructions of iron objects and medieval shoes. These days I run the forge of the archaeological open-air museum "Bajuwarenhof Kirchheim", where I also present other crafts to the public.

UCD GRADUATE

In 2002, I decided to actively pursue my historical interest and incorporate my skills in physics, electronics and engineering.

I graduated from the University of York in 1994 with a BA in Archaeology and started making replica Viking Age artefacts in 1999, while working at the Jorvik Viking Centre.

My historical interpretation activities give people space and time to step outside their everyday lives and experience serious learning in a fun and informal atmosphere. I work professionally with Museums, Schools and with volunteer re-enactment groups.

Involved in experimental archaeology for the past 12 years, specialising in investigating and demonstrating prehistoric metallurgy of the Bronze and Iron Age. I regularly give public demonstrations and teach courses in smelting (copper, tin, iron, lead) and casting (copper, bronze).