Dear all,
this message is following up on a discussion I had just recently with a
colleague specialising in archaeo- and ethnoastronomy. We discussed a
paper that was exploring the symbolic meanings of traditional ironworking.
Beside the well-known ritual/sexual implications of African iron smelting
the aspect of a possible link between metalworking/production and
cosmological beliefs was briefly touched upon. In particular, the meaning
of the location/orientation of production sites in relation to settlements
was considered. For example, it was suggested that a location to the east
of the settlement may be linked to beliefs of birth and regeneration, the
cycle of life, something that may be seen in the process of metal
smelting, too.
In the end, we both agreed that the evidence available is simply not
enough to prove or dismiss such a connection and that the archaeological
record may be interpreted either/or or ideally both from a functional and
a metaphysical point of view.
I now would like to extend these interesting thoughts to the list and
wonder whether anybody could point us towards any sites with obvious
evidence for a link between metalworking/production and cosmological
beliefs. Or help with useful references. Or would like to explore this
subject further with any comments.
Irene
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Wer die Vergangenheit nicht kennt, kann die Zukunft nicht gestalten.
(Goethe)
Irene E Schrufer-Kolb
School of Archaeological Studies Tel.: +44-116-252-3980
University of Leicester FAX: +44-116-252-5005
University Road e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Leicester LE1 7RH http://www.le.ac.uk/ar/ies1/
United Kingdom
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