On Fri, 24 Mar 2000, Darrell Markewitz wrote:
> Has there been a study of the (northern, post Roman to Norse) human remains
> related with grave goods that thus indicate blacksmiths? 'The bones will
> tell', with damage or other marking that would indicate prefered /
> repetitive physical actions. This would reference back to working methods.
Very interesting question indeed but one that is probably better posed to
our colleagues in osteoarchaeology. Nevertheless, let me repeat my
previous quote of
J Henning
Schmiedegraeber noerdlich der Alpen
Saalburg Jahrbuch 46
1991
65-82
There is a flood of footnotes with the article and perhaps one or another
might steer you in the right direction. Social osteoarchaeology is a
rather new field of study, and palaeopathology something that gained
interest only recently.
Finally, my two-pence worth of iron technology. From my limited insights
into iron smelting experiments and materials science it occurs to me that
metal production is and indeed has always been highly advanced technology
at the time and in relation to its environment, be it natural, social or
political. Technology is in fact far more complex than a seemingly basic
furnace in which you can actually achieve a lot. So how about the DIYs
being experts themselves?
Irene
===============================================================================
Wer die Vergangenheit nicht kennt, kann die Zukunft nicht gestalten.
(Goethe)
Irene E Schrufer-Kolb
School of Archaeological Studies Tel.: +44-(0)1280-823102
University of Leicester FAX: +44-(0)116-252-5005
University Road e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Leicester LE1 7RH http://www.le.ac.uk/ar/ies1/
United Kingdom
===============================================================================
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|