AV 63, 2012: Neva TRAMPUŽ OREL

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK 63, 2012

Neva TRAMPUŽ OREL

The beginnings of iron in Slovenia

Abstract

Elementary iron is relatively rare in nature and is of native and meteoric origin. The metal is obtained from high-quality iron minerals, deposits of which are widely distributed throughout the world, very often even on the surface. Iron was therefore already available to the majority of cultures in archaeological periods, in contrast to coloured metals, deposits of which were often distant and their supply strictly controlled in the Bronze Age. However, the route to the discovery of usable iron was longer and, technologically, incomparably more demanding than obtaining copper and making alloys.

Because of its favourable geographic location between the ore-bearing Alps and the northern Adriatic and the abundance of local surface ore, Slovenia was among the first regions in Europe to be familiar with iron. There is evidence of contacts between the local population and prospectors and metallurgists from the eastern Mediterranean and participation in the copper trade dating back to between the 12th and 10th centuries BC. It can be concluded on this basis that they were acquainted relatively early with the demanding process of slagging sulphide types of copper, which was used three centuries later in the 7th century BC with advantage also in the technologically demanding production of iron and the manufacture of usable iron products.

Keywords: appearance of iron, prehistory, Early Iron Age, iron jewellery, iron weapons, Slovenia

Full text (pdf)