Fuelling the blacksmiths furnace

A multidisciplinary study into the use of ‘smithy’ coal in the iron‐working industry of a late medieval harbour system, Bruges (Belgium)

Bibliographic Data

ID7147496
AuthorsBiernacka Paulina (0000-0001-5274-3154, Historical Archaeology Research Group, Department of Archaeology Ghent University Ghent Belgium, corresponding author), De Clercq Wim (Historical Archaeology Research Group, Department of Archaeology Ghent University Ghent Belgium), Bonduel Elisa (Department of History Ghent University Ghent Belgium), Barnard Patrick (Applied Petroleum Technology UK Ltd Conwy UK), Mike Duncan (0000-0002-4636-6425), Mc Lean Duncan (MB Stratigraphy Ltd Sheffield UK), Harding Rick (Applied Petroleum Technology UK Ltd Conwy UK), M Poulain (0000-0001-5385-7460, Historical Archaeology Research Group, Department of Archaeology Ghent University Ghent Belgium), Trachet Jan (Historical Archaeology Research Group, Department of Archaeology Ghent University Ghent Belgium), Dewaele Stijn (Laboratory for Mineralogy and Petrology, Department of Geology Ghent University Ghent Belgium), De Grave Johan (Laboratory for Mineralogy and Petrology, Department of Geology Ghent University Ghent Belgium)
Year2025
Volume67
Issue3
Pages682-698
Publication date2025-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeometry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-813X • E-ISSN: 1475-4754
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/arcm.13036
OpenAlexW4403738319
LanguageEN
References cited22

Large amounts of iron slag were discovered during archaeological excavations in the late medieval harbour of Hoeke (Municipality of Damme, Belgium), one of the main outer harbours of Bruges. This waste product indicates the presence of 13th‐ to 14th‐century pre‐industrial metalworking activities, such as blacksmithing, which involved the production of iron objects and the repair of ships, as historically documented on this site. Besides the waste products from iron working, fragments of coal were also discovered within the same deposits, both as separate pieces and included in the slags, suggesting that coal was used as a fuel during these activities. This discovery resulted in a multidisciplinary study applying geochemical, palaeontological, and historical analyses that allowed to identify the provenance of the coal (Northumberland‐Durham Coalfield) as well as to provide new insights into maritime coal trade during this period. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of pre‐industrial craft practices in the Bruges harbour system and expands the knowledge of the fuel sources used in the late medieval harbour's iron‐working activities

Archaeology · Coal · Geography · Harbour · Multidisciplinary approach · Political science · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Computer Science · Engineering · Law · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology · Metallurgy and Cultural Artifacts

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