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This interdisciplinary study investigates the social technology of Roman iron production in the East Midlands. It provides a detailed assessment of archaeometallurgical sites in the region against a socio-economic background of settlement patterns and landscape development.
A complex network of Roman mining, smelting and smithing sites is investigated along the Jurassic Ridge and adjacent areas. Information is given about the archaeology of iron production sites, technologies employed and the spatial distribution of sites across the region. Their relationship with other economic activities in the area is explored and the chronological development of the iron industry followed in the region. Fresh results of the scientific analysis of iron production debris from the East Midlands complement the assessment of the archaeological evidence. Several case studies illustrate the results of this regional study of iron production in more detail. Findings are then viewed against different modes of production and the organisation and administration of iron production in the region. Social aspects of iron production and regional marketing mechanisms are explored which highlight the relevance of site-specific iron production for inter-regional trade networks and ultimately the economic development of the East Midlands region.
In the East Midlands, iron production has an Iron Age tradition and operates at a persistently high level from the early days of the province up until the late Roman period. Production is essentially civilian and settlement-related. Production sites show a great individuality in applied technology and different levels of industrialisation. Their widespread distribution and longevity throughout the East Midlands indicate that iron production was indeed a highly important element of the regional economy.
The results of this study demonstrate that the East Midlands represent a third region of significant iron production in Roman Britain, in a line with the Weald and the Forest of Dean.
Keywords: archaeometallurgy --- Roman period --- iron production --- East Midlands --- slag analysis
Last updated: 30 March 2001
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