Doonan Roger
University of Bournemouth
Evidence for Metalworking at Oropos
The study of Iron Age metallurgy in the Aegean has focussed on two main areas. The first being preoccupied with the study of artefact typology to investigate the relations between communities whilst other studies have focussed on the Aegean as a specific case in a wider story of technological evolution. Few studies have been made of metallurgical production debris such as slags, and refractory materials. Even when study of these materials has been undertaken discussion has normally been restricted to technical concerns.
This paper reviews the current state the investigations of metalworking debris from Early Iron Age Oropos. Focussing on the results of extensive slag analysis it is discussed how such results relate to the practice of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy at Oropos O.S.K. The role of soil characterization is also discussed with reference to the spatial articulation of craft practices.
The paper concludes with suggestions of how such investigations can go beyond technical characterization to offer insight into current anthropological concerns.
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