The Coming of Iron - Anfänge der Eisenverhüttung in Mitteleuropa

For several years the interdisciplinary research group (A-5) Iron as a raw material has been studying the early evidence of iron smelting, with projects in southern Poland, Lithuania, and eastern Germany among others, and we are very interested in an intense scientific exchange. Therefore, specialists in the field of early ferrous metallurgy from various Central European regions were invited to the final conference of the research group.

The conference focuses on the technical solutions that mark the beginning of iron production, the reasons and mechanisms for the technology transfer and in addition the social and economic integration of this innovation.

In a comparative perspective, we want to deal with the process of introducing the new technology in the regions of Central Europe. In which period of time can the earliest iron smelting be proved in different regions and what are possible reasons for the temporal offset? Is there evidence for technical progress and how did it change the production process and its economic function? Where and why did the technological and economic developments come to an end, where did they proceed continuously? What is the spatial relationship between settlements, production sites and resources (iron ore)?

These and other questions will be discussed at the conference based on the most current state of research.

Program