Iron Artifacts at 33GU218

Prehistoric Native American Iron Smelting?

Quite preliminary - there are several contextual/stratigraphic questions to be resolved, not to mention compositional analysis and AMS dating of the carbon content.  But, circumstantially, note the clear zoomorphic and sometimes anthropomorphic imagery, as well as the apparent physical evidence of direct-reduction smelting. 

 

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

 

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

 

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

Rock from front

Rock from above

 
 

 

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

   

 
 

 

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)    Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

 

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)    Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

 

 

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

 

       

       

 

    

 

 

 

Iron Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)       

 

 

Direct-reduction smelting bloom?

Iron with slag content, weight 3.56 kg (7.83 lb.).

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_____Iron Slag_____

 

 

Iron Slag Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

So far, the only utilitarian iron or slag object at the site.

It is contoured for a firm and comfortable right-hand grasp.

     

 
 

 

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Embedded charcoal

Compelling evidence for direct-reduction smelting

 

 

Iron/Slag Artifact at 33GU218 (Day's Knob)

Slag with encased and partially chipped-out iron nodule

 

Lime slag with iron inclusions

 

Slag with 2.5 mm layer of iron

 

   

 

 

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