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Questions and Answers
How did the advent of iron technology influence the societies that adopted it?
How did the advent of iron technology influence the societies that adopted it?
Iron-using societies.
What are the two main sources of iron ore that were likely used in early Ireland?
What are the two main sources of iron ore that were likely used in early Ireland?
Bedrock ores and bog ores.
Explain the significance of the Bloomery Process in the context of early iron smelting.
Explain the significance of the Bloomery Process in the context of early iron smelting.
It allowed the solid-state conversion of iron ore to iron metal without liquid stage.
Why couldn't early iron workers cast iron objects in molds the way bronze workers could?
Why couldn't early iron workers cast iron objects in molds the way bronze workers could?
What role does carbon monoxide gas play in the bloomery process?
What role does carbon monoxide gas play in the bloomery process?
Describe one method used to prepare iron ores before smelting.
Describe one method used to prepare iron ores before smelting.
How did the Vikings influence iron technology in Ireland?
How did the Vikings influence iron technology in Ireland?
What is the difference in material composition between wrought iron and steel?
What is the difference in material composition between wrought iron and steel?
Describe the purpose of heating and hammering the bloom of iron after the smelting process.
Describe the purpose of heating and hammering the bloom of iron after the smelting process.
What evidence suggests that Bronze Age metalworking traditions influenced early ironworking techniques in Ireland?
What evidence suggests that Bronze Age metalworking traditions influenced early ironworking techniques in Ireland?
Flashcards
Iron Age
Iron Age
A period when iron was the primary metal used for tools and weapons.
Iron in Ireland
Iron in Ireland
First contact with iron occurred in Ireland around 700 - 500 BC.
Solid State Conversion
Solid State Conversion
Iron was produced without ever reaching a liquid state.
Bloomery Process
Bloomery Process
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Converting bloom of iron
Converting bloom of iron
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Carburization
Carburization
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Carburization
Carburization
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Sources of Iron in Early Ireland
Sources of Iron in Early Ireland
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Study Notes
- The Iron Age features iron-using societies.
Iron Age in Ireland
- First contact with iron occurred 700 – 500 BC.
- Adoption of iron technology started from 500 BC onwards.
- The use of iron expanded in the early medieval period (500 – 900 AD).
- The Viking world technologically influenced the area after 900 AD.
Iron Age Weapons
- Iron swords were a key part of weaponry at the time.
Iron Cauldrons
- An iron cauldron was found in Drumlane, Co. Cavan.
Influence
- Late Bronze Age metalworking traditions influenced the first ironworking in Ireland.
Iron Sources
- Pure iron was very rare.
- Meteoric iron was used by some early cultures, but not in Ireland.
- Early Ireland likely used bedrock and bog ores as sources, such as Haematite (Fe₂O₃) and Limonite (Fe₂O₂H₂O).
- No early iron mines have been discovered in Ireland.
- Bog ores were probably extracted from the surface, leaving little archaeological evidence.
- Ore preparation involved cleaning (washing), concentration (hand-picking), and roasting to expel water.
Smelting of Iron Ores
- Early iron workers could not make liquid iron for casting into molds until the development of the blast furnace in later medieval times.
- Iron was produced using the Bloomery Process, in the same 1200°C temperature range as bronze casting.
- The bloomery process converted iron ore to iron metal in a solid state.
- This produced blooms of iron mixed with slag.
- Carbon monoxide gas was generated which reduced the iron ore: Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂.
Iron Smelting
- Required the use of a furnace, like a pit or shaft furnace.
- The bloom of iron was converted into pure iron.
- It was heated and hammered to squeeze out impurities.
Iron Smiths
- Iron smiths would use forges to create objects
Casting
- Bronze objects involved pouring molten metal into crucibles and molds.
Iron Smithing Tools
- Most iron produced in prehistory was wrought iron (pure iron).
- Steel is an alloy of Iron (that has absorbed carbon).
- Wrought iron can be carburized into steel.
Iron Axeheads
- Early axeheads were made in Ireland by forging.
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