Excavations at Farranastack, Co. Kerry: evidence for the use of shaft furnaces in medieval iron production

摘要

Recent archaeological excavations in Farranastack townland, Co. Kerry, revealed a pit that contained a small but interestingudcollection of industrial residues. Farranastack takes its place among a growing number of sites that have producedudevidence for the use of shaft furnaces in the manufacture of iron in medieval Ireland. Until recently it was believedudthat Irish smiths used only the less effective bowl furnace.