Iron Age technology

This paper reviews how ethnographic studies (ethnoarchaeology) of iron smelting in NW Tanzania were used alongside archaeological evidence to document the development of a highly efficient iron smelting technology. Based on the principle of preheating the air blast, this invention occurred over a 150 year period of experimentation during the early first millennium CE--long before similar principles were applied to iron technology in Europe.
One of the most significant discoveries for the history of science in Africa and for African history, it has since been depreciated and misrepresented in several scholarly settings. This paper reviews these errors and misrepresentation and replaces them with an explicit and evidence-based narrative that reaffirms their importance to science, history, and the well-being of African peoples.

The present paper wants to bring to the attention of researchers, who have as subject of study the material remains of the Iron Age communities from Transylvania, some objects kept in the collections of the Gherla History Museum (Cluj County). Therefore, in the centre of this paper are three objects-a bent sword, a slashing knife and a horse bit-that were part of the museum's permanent exhibition, but they did not attract so far the attention of any researcher. In the present state of research, no details are known regarding the date, the exact location and the context of discovery. The Register of Inventory only records the fact that the pieces were discovered in the area of the city of Gherla. The biggest concern about these objects is whether they were discovered together or are coming from two or three different contexts.

The University of Bradford is proud to host the 20th Iron Age Student Research Symposium (IARSS). The symposium will be held between the 31st of May and the 2nd of June, with papers, posters and presentations, followed by a guided visit to the Hull Museum on the 3rd of June.
IARSS is a research student focused conference, providing an opportunity for students to share their work, network and collaborate with others. This event is open for contributions from postgraduate research students and new researchers, however, Master students are also welcome to submit and participate in the conference. Although IARSS is promoted as an Iron Age conference, contributions from colleagues studying or working within related periods, such as the Late Bronze Age and Roman Iron Age are also welcome. IARSS has traditionally focused on Iron Age Britain, however we welcome contributions from those colleagues examining the Iron Age elsewhere in the world, including, but not limited to, Ireland, the European continent and the Near East.

For colleagues interested in participating, please submit an abstract between c.250-300 words and 5 keywords related to your research. Presentations should be 15-20 minutes long and in English. Posters may be bilingual but they must be understandable to English speakers and an abstract in English must be provided.

Abstracts should be sent to:
[email protected] until the 6th of May.