Henry
Surely the Roman furnaces were larger than the Celtic ones? This to me
suggests an improvememt in some of the technology - perhaps the Romans had
better bellows. They probably used slaves to work them. I agree that their
better organisation had something to do with it - perhaps ironmaking was
paid for from taxes directly or indirectly since it seems to have been
largely military.
I have no concern about scientific and other technology being used to make
bloomery iron as long as people recognise that it is something different
from experimemtal archaeology. Other ways of making wrought iron, such as
puddling, require extenive investment in furnaces and other equipment and an
experienced work force. The only puddling furnace I know of is currently not
in use.
Peter Hutchison
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|