Contribution of the Experimental Production of Great Moravian Axe-shaped Iron Bars to Understand Their Function in the Early Medieval Economy

Michal Hlavica, Patrick Bárta, Ondřej Merta

Archeologia technica, vol. 31 (2020)
Pages: 15–27
Language: Czech
Type of article: scientific article
DOI: n/a

Abstract:
In light of the growing interest in the problem of the socio-political complexity of Great-Moravian society, the role of so-called axe-shaped iron bars, barely usable iron semi-products typical of the Great-Moravian era, is being discussed. The results of the experimental reconstruction of the fabrication process of these specific artefacts points to their role not only as mere semi-finished products, but also within the scope of broader social and economic contexts. This is indicated mainly by the technological and economic effort needed for their production, as well as the fact that the fabrication of the axe-shaped bars had to be preceded by the making of another subsequently refined semi-finished product, the form of which was most probably already standardized in a way. The hypothesis of the connection of the axe-shaped iron bars to length or weight standards is supported by certain partly overlooked archaeological and historical analogies.