Early Middle Ages

"But if you don't get any IRON..." Towards an Effective Method for Small Iron Smelting Furnaces

Author(s)
Darrell Markewitz 1
Publication Date

Building and operating a small bloomery iron furnace is certainly a wonderful public demonstration for any museum or living history site. It is however a complex technical process, with many individual factors combining for success. Over the last decade in North America, small teams of blacksmiths have developed predictable working methods through trial and much error. This direct practical experience can provide some insights into questions that even the best researched theories may not be able to solve.

Wikinger Museum Haithabu (DE)

Member of EXARC
Yes

The (re)construction of the Viking houses at Haithabu is based on the results of over 100 years of research at this site. The conservation of organic material allows detailed conclusions about the looks of the houses back then.

The (re)construction of the Viking houses at Haithabu is based on the results of over 100 years of research at this site. The conservation of organic material allows detailed conclusions about the looks of the houses back then...

Museu de Prehistòria de València (ES)

Member of EXARC
Yes

The Museu de Prehistòria de València is a scientific institution dedicated to preserving, researching and disseminating the archaeological prehistoric heritage of the province of Valencia. It is a cultural resource of the Valencian society in so far it preserves his heritage; it contributes to the enhancement of its cultural level and its integral development.

The Museu de Prehistòria de València is a scientific institution dedicated to preserving, researching and disseminating the archaeological prehistoric heritage of the province of Valencia. It is a cultural resource of the Valencian society in so far it preserves his heritage...

Csiki Pihenokert, Csiki Garden (HU)

Member of EXARC
No

The “Csiki Garden” is a Medieval eco-archaeological park and Summer camp (in Hungarian: Csiki Pihenőkert, Árpád-kori régészeti park, erdei-iskola és nyári tabor) coordinated by the Régiségbúvár Egyesület (Antiques-research Association). The goals are to present Hungarian medieval life and history (buildings, agriculture, craftsmanship, foods, arms, costumes, et cetera) as well as teaching the children in schools and in Summer camps.

The “Csiki Garden” is a Medieval eco-archaeological park and Summer camp coordinated by the Régiségbúvár Egyesület. The goals are to present Hungarian medieval life and history (buildings, agriculture, craftsmanship, foods, arms, costumes, et cetera) as well as...

Jaciment Arqueològic L'Esquerda (ES)

Member of EXARC
Yes

Fundació Privada l’Esquerda – Museu Arqueològic de l’Esquerda The site l’Esquerda represents the Iberian Era (5th – 1st century BC) as well as the period between the 7th and 14th century AD. The area presented is the Plana de Vic, and the valley of the river Ter, all 70 km north from Barcelona, in the inner lands of Catalonia.

The site l’Esquerda represents the Iberian Era (5th – 1st century BC) as well as the period between the 7th and 14th century AD. The area presented is the Plana de Vic, and the valley of the river Ter, all 70 km north from Barcelona, in the inner lands of Catalonia...

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village (UK)

Member of EXARC
No

An Anglo-Saxon cemetery was discovered close to the site in 1847 as a result of gravel extraction, and since then a number of antiquarians have investigated and treasure-hunted small parts of the hill on which the settlement is situated. The site was destined to become a rubbish tip for Bury St. Edmunds and aggregates were also still being extracted, so the Ministry of Works agreed to fund the excavations, the bulk of which took place between 1965 and 1972 by Stanley West.

An Anglo-Saxon cemetery was discovered close to the site in 1847 as a result of gravel extraction, and since then a number of antiquarians have investigated and treasure-hunted small parts of the hill on which the settlement is situated...

Geschichtserlebnisraum (DE)

Member of EXARC
Yes

The “Geschichtserlebnisraum Lübeck, Bauspielplatz Roter Hahn e.V.” started as an adventure playground in 1999. The aim is to use the site for open youth work (including non-historical activities), offering historical education. The focus is on the easy approach for children and adolescents to all of our activities.

The “Geschichtserlebnisraum Lübeck, Bauspielplatz Roter Hahn e.V.” started as an adventure playground in 1999. The aim is to use the site for open youth work (including non-historical activities), offering historical education...

Curia Vitkov (CZ)

Member of EXARC
No

Open-air museum Curia Vitkov is run by an association of about 20 volunteers. The site of 2 hectares consists of a crafts village with 3 houses and 2 other constructions. Besides, there is the central Curia consisting of 6 dwellings and two other houses, two tower gates and a palisade, and lately a two-storey nobleman’s house with “black kitchen” and a medieval tiled stove. Into future, we plan for a stone-built Romanesque church which should complete the typical court. All buildings present varying timbering and roofing techniques, following typical construction patterns of the period according to the type of settlement. The area is not based on single excavations.

Curia Vitkov is run by an association of about 20 volunteers. The area of 2 hectares exists of a crafts village with 3 houses and 4 other constructions (e.g. forgery, shed with baking oven). Besides that, there is the Curia which exists of a nobleman’s house, 2 tower gates and palisade and...

Oldenburger Wallmuseum (DE)

Member of EXARC
Yes

At the Oldenburger Wallmuseum the visitors can discover three thematic parts: a typical Ostholstein tenant farm, the Slavonic period in the 10th century and the St. Johannis Toten- und Schützengilde from 1192.

At the Oldenburger Wallmuseum the visitors can discover three thematic parts: a typical Ostholstein tenant farm, the Slavonic period in the 10th century and the St. Johannis Toten- und Schützengilde from 1192...