Publication details
Early Medieval iron production in the Boskovice Furrow
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| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| Citation | |
| Description | This study focuses on the development of early medieval iron production (until the 13th century AD) within the geomorphological depression known as the Boskovice Furrow (Czech Republic), situated within the sphere of influence of two important polities: Great Moravia and the early Přemyslid state. Iron production represents an important source of information for understanding the economic and social organization of medieval societies, as it reflects the exploitation of natural resources, production strategies, distribution networks, and the relationship between craft activities and contemporary power structures. The research combines surface surveys, geophysical prospection, evaluation of iron production remains, and radiocarbon dating. Furthermore, archaeometric analyses of iron slag and iron ore were employed to investigate raw material procurement and the exploitation of local resource bases, which remain poorly understood. For a broader socioeconomic interpretation, the Scandinavian concept of “utmark” is applied. A total of 28 iron production sites were identified within the studied area. The distribution of finds demonstrates a strong concentration of production activities in the northern part of the Boskovice Furrow, particularly in areas associated with local iron ore sources, small watercourses and forested margins of the landscape. The dominant evidence relates to primary iron production (smelting), although evidence of subsequent smithing activities was also identified at some sites. The results indicate that iron production intensified particularly after the decline of Great Moravia, especially during the Late Hillfort period. However, unlike some other metallurgical regions, no major technological or organizational transformations connected with specific historical events were identified. Overall, the Boskovice Furrow represents an important peripheral production area (utmark?) that was likely integrated into wider economic and political networks of early medieval societies. |
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