The Middle Bronze Age iron punch of Southeast Drenthe

The iron object of awl or punch form recovered from the MBA southern plank footpath XVII(Bou) (dendro-age around 1350 B.C.) in the raised bog near Emmen, Drenthe, Netherlands, has been examined metallurgically. It was produced from an iron source by a reduction process and was then forged to the required dimensions. There is thus clear evidence of iron production and usage some 500 years before the Iron Age officially begins in this area.