Contribution to Early Mediaeval Iron Production in Uničov Area – Archaelogical Excavations in Dolní Sukolom and Brníčko

Hana Marešová

Archeologia technica, vol. 25 (2014)
Pages: 3–17
Language: Czech
Type of article: scientific article
DOI: n/a

Abstract:
The aim of the work is to introduce two early medieval sites, primarily with iron production around them. The sites are geographically defined, along with the natural conditions in Central Moravia and further examined the settlement at Uničov region. It describes the system of iron production in the Czech countries in early medieval period. The main section is the analysis of Brníčko and Dolní Sukolom sites, evaluation of finding situations and characteristic of early mediaeval furnaces used in Moravia. Furthermore, is performed an analysis of the artifacts and ekofacts from both locations. The site lies north of the city of Olomouc, close to the Uničov town, already showed the previous settlement and continuity of early medieval settlement into medieval and modern times. We are talking about an area which was ideal for the Slavic population and subsequently to the formation of metal-processing centers, which produced iron not only for Uničov region. Three furnaces found in Dolní Sukolom can be dated by analogy with furnaces from the well known site at Želechovice in to the turn of the 8 th and 9 th century. In all cases, we can talk about underground furnaces with a recessed hearth with a long tunnel and horseshoe shaped cavity in the rear wall of the shaft. Sole furnace found on the Brníčko site is due to the ceramic material classifiable in the 11th–12 th century. One important clue to identify the furnaces was the analysis of slags, which was performed on samples from both locations. With chemical analysis we proved that bloomeries in Dolní Sukolom and Brníčko and the Želechovice use the same iron- magnetite – hematite deposit. It can be assumed that all known bloomeries, which worked in the early Middle Ages in Uničov region, used this rich source of ore.