Transformations of the chemical signature of slag inclusions throughout experimental refining and first shaping of bloomery iron: New methodological developments

Abstract Archaeometallurgical experiments have been conducted on the “Plateforme d’experimentation des arts du feu” in Melle (Deux-Sevres, France) in order to get a better understanding of the potential alteration of the chemical signature of non-metallic inclusions in iron artefacts. This alteration may likely be caused by the use of fluxes during the smithing work. Five experimental sequences have been performed, following distinct patterns regarding the use of flux. Cross-sections made from the experimental products have sustained an as exhaustive as possible chemical characterization, resulting in the analysis of several thousands of inclusions per sample. An adapted data treatment procedure, relying on the use of multivariate analyses and geographic information systems, has been set up in order to identify the origin of each inclusion: smelting or smithing.