Experimental Archaeology and Iron Smelting at L'AM

Experimental Archaeology and the recreation of the Viking Era Smelt at L'Anse aux Meadows, NHSC

Investigations of the archaeological site at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, indicate local bog iron ore was smelted into workable metal, at least once, by the Norse some time about 1000 AD. Just why the first iron smelt in North America was carried out remains open to interpretation. Starting in 2009, a team from Ontario, Canada, conducted a series of five experiments, culminating on a full re-creation of the original Norse iron smelt at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC in August of 2010. Experimental archaeology was used to aid in reconstructing the tools and processes involved in both that specific smelt and Viking era iron smelting in general.  Neil will walk through the archaeology, and the experimental sequences involved that led to the 2010 replication of that smelt.

A lecture by Neil Peterson for the Hamilton chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society.

7pm - Thursday Feb 19th, Fieldcote Museum in Ancaster, ON

Visitors are welcome.