'Ironworking Debris and Other Vitrified Material' In: Arabaolaza, Iraia, Buckley, Rachel, Williamson, Sam and Woodward, Alun A Hoard, Spear Moulds and a Bear, Oh my!’ a Late Bronze Age Settlement at Greenside farm, Rosemarkie

Cruickshanks, Gemma

'Ironworking Debris and Other Vitrified Material' In: Arabaolaza, Iraia, Buckley, Rachel, Williamson, Sam and Woodward, Alun A Hoard, Spear Moulds and a Bear, Oh my!’ a Late Bronze Age Settlement at Greenside farm, Rosemarkie

Resource type

Book chapter

Creator (person)

Cruickshanks, Gemma

ORCID

Abstract

A small assemblage of vitrified material weighing 2.4 kg was recovered during excavations at Rosemarkie. Vitrified material can be produced during a range of high-temperature processes from specialist crafts to daily domestic hearth activity. This assemblage includes material diagnostic of ironworking, including possible smelting slag, a smithing hearth base and small quantities of hammerscale and slag spheres diagnostic of blacksmithing. A small amount of undiagnostic vitrified material was also recovered. No in situ metalworking features were noted and the debris is dispersed across the site, leaving it uncertain exactly where and when the ironworking activity was taking place.