Iron extraction

Experiments with Ancient Iron Production

Over the years, a wide range of practical experiments with ancient iron production have been carried out at Ribe VikingeCenter. The work is based on archaeological knowledge of iron extraction from bog iron ore, but its primary aim has been to rediscover and revive the craft in practice. Through many years of experimentation, methods have gradually been developed that not only produce workable iron, but also show clear similarities to the traces of iron production that archaeologists uncover in the ground.

The report "Experiments with Ancient Iron Production" brings together the experiences gained from these experiments and offers insight into both the practical challenges and the discoveries that arise when working experimentally with the technologies of the past. At the same time, the work demonstrates how iron extraction can be communicated vividly to visitors, making a complex craft easier to understand through demonstration and hands on practice.

The full report provides a detailed overview of methods, furnace types, processes and slag formation, as well as practical guidance for those who wish to experiment with ancient iron production themselves. It is intended for anyone with a professional or scholarly interest in experimental archaeology, historical crafts and the technologies that formed the foundation of Iron Age and Viking Age societies.

The report is published in Danish and can be downloaded here: