Reconstructing a blacksmithing landscape': Saxon smithing at Wharram Percy

摘要

Excavations of smithy workshops are rare, and in many cases the assemblage is split up and its components (slag, artefacts and ceramics) are sent to different specialists. We instead argue that only through analysis of the entire assemblage will the whole picture be revealed. This paper re-interprets the evidence from the smithy at Wharram Percy in a holistic way, setting it in its landscape and considering how it functioned. Three generic ironworking 'landscape' models are proposed, all of which can be applied to any site, at any period. Combined metallographic analysis of iron artefacts and archaeometallurgical analysis of the slag, along with the detailed examination of the entire smithing assemblage revealed that the Wharram smithy fitted the most complex of our models. The evidence also allows us to suggest the skill level of the Wharram Percy smith. This paper demonstrates the potential of integrated archaeometallurgical and artefact research when interpreting an ironworking site.