Large-scale ironworking in Early Medieval proto-urban settlements: A case study from Mikulčice-Valy, Czech Republic

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68081758%3A_____%2F24%3A00616621" target="_blank" >RIV/68081758:_____/24:00616621 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.arub.cz/wp-content/uploads/PV-65_2_03.pdf" target="_blank" >https://www.arub.cz/wp-content/uploads/PV-65_2_03.pdf</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.47382/pv0652-01" target="_blank" >10.47382/pv0652-01</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Large-scale ironworking in Early Medieval proto-urban settlements: A case study from Mikulčice-Valy, Czech Republic

Original language description

Pyrometallurgical remnants, including slags and technical ceramics, offer crucial insights into Early Medieval ironworking. Iron held substantial economic significance during this era and its processing is particularly evident in settlement agglomerations and proto-urban sites across Northern and East Central Europe. Despite its importance, large-scale ironworking remains inadequately explored within broader socio-economic contexts. Our study examines around 300 kg of pyrotechnical waste from the northern suburbium of the Mikulčice-Valy settlement agglomeration (Czech Republic) using macroscopic and metallographic (SEM-EDS, WD-XRF) methods. The findings reveal specialised blacksmithing characterised by intensity and diversity contributing to a better understanding of the operational dynamics and installations in craft-production workshops. We propose that blacksmiths capitalised on the proto-urban environment, satisfying a high demand for diverse iron commodities of a dense population actively engaged in household, agricultural and artisanal work. While elites facilitated access to raw materials and maintained relative peace, direct control over iron production and distribution among the elites appears limited, apart from valuables like weapons. This study sheds light on the complex interplay between ironworkers and political-economic structures, offering new perspectives on the mechanisms driving Early Medieval iron economies.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_SC - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the SCOPUS database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

60102 - Archaeology

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Přehled výzkumů

ISSN

1211-7250

e-ISSN

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Volume of the periodical

65

Issue of the periodical within the volume

2

Country of publishing house

CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC

Number of pages

26

Pages from-to

51-76

UT code for WoS article

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EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85215373077