Обработка на желязо през ранновизантийската епоха – обект „Шишманово кале” при Самоков
Iron working during the Early Byzantine period – “Shishmanovo kale” site, Samokov

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the paper is to present the recent research on iron working found during the archaeological excavations at Shishmanovo kale site – late Roman and Early Byzantine fortified settlement near present day Samokov, Sofia district. Shishmanovo kale site does not yield yet direct evidence about iron ore smelting and related furnaces, but the next stage of iron making – primary smithing of the blooms, is proved there. An unprocessed piece of bloom (24,200 kg) and a semi-worked piece of raw iron (12,300 kg) are found at the site. They have heterogeneous structure and specific shape. Second piece with preserved traces of cutting indicates the technique of primary iron smithing and consolidating used by artisans. It is probable that this wrought iron has been formed in ingots with nearly rectangular shape as it is attested by a semi-finished piece of ingot from the site. The existence of a forges at the site is evident because of finding of blacksmith tongs and slag. All these data about iron making are assigned to the period of 5th-6th centuries. An attempt to compare different stages of working raw iron is made in the paper, using laboratory analyses. Primary iron processing was important craftsman activity at Shishmanovo kale site during early Byzantine period. It could be assumed that a certain series of technically determined operations were involved in this production. Hammering is used to reduce the slag inclusions in the bloom iron. But it is very probable that ancient blacksmiths were able also to cut the blooms, to estimate the quality of the obtained inhomogeneous material and to select appropriate pieces of metal for the next stages of shaping.

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