Sylvain BAUVAIS, Alexandre DISSER, Philippe DILLMANN IRON AGE IRON METALLURGY IN THE CROULD RIVER BASIN: provenance and production organisation

Abstract

The Crould Valley is lacking in local mineral ore resources for the production of wrought iron. Nevertheless, the metal circulates in different forms and is included in the socio-economic networks of the area. A qualitative and quantitative classification of sites has enabled us to highlight the evolution of how these activities were organised during the Late Iron Age. The analyses of provenance carried out on three sites indicates a geographically limited supply network. The study of the evolution of forging activities in the Crould Valley shows that even if the exchange networks enable the development of local productions, there is a fragile balance and the smallest change in power relations can call into question the benefits gained.

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