Baužytė, Ema, Mapunda, Bertram, Juma, Abdurahman et al. (4 more authors) (2023) An archaeometallurgical investigation of iron smithing in Swahili contexts and its wider implications. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. 100. ISSN 1866-9557
Abstract
This paper presents the most extensive archaeometallurgical study of iron-smithing debris excavated in East Africa. It presents an integrated methodology, including morphological, chemical, petrographic, and contextual analysis of iron slag excavated from secondary ironworking contexts. Iron slag from three Swahili sites was analysed—Unguja Ukuu located on the southwestern coast of Zanzibar, and Tumbe and Chwaka situated in the north-east of Pemba Island. The results suggest that Unguja Ukuu smithing is associated with oxidising hearth atmospheres and high amounts of CaO, while slag from Tumbe and Chwaka indicates reducing hearth atmospheres and high silica:alumina ratios, potentially pointing to the use of a flux. Distinct technical traditions can be seen at Unguja Ukuu when compared to Tumbe and Chwaka, suggesting a regional rather than chronological pattern. Temporal continuity is evident throughout the occupation of Unguja Ukuu and between sites of different periods in north-western Pemba. The spatial distribution of iron slag at these sites suggests that smithing was taking place across the extent of Unguja Ukuu, while slag scatters were more localised and disassociated from domestic contexts at Tumbe and Chwaka. The wealth of information on technological and organisational aspects of smithing obtained during this study indicates that an integrated methodology can yield valuable data for a variety of smithing sites, irrespective of excavation strategies.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2023 |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (York) > Archaeology (York) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number LEVERHULME TRUST RPG 2018 414 |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 21 Jun 2023 11:50 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 19:15 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-023-01768-7 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s12520-023-01768-7 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:200688 |
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Description: An archaeometallurgical investigation of iron smithing in Swahili contexts and its wider implications
Licence: CC-BY 2.5