Thermal Properties of Shaft Furnaces for Experimental Archaeometallurgy

This paper is focused on the thermal properties of historical La Tène furnaces for the processing of iron ore. The technology itself has been used since 450 BC. It is an examination of the early technologies of iron production. This technology was mainly used in Central Europe by the Celtic tribes. Celtic people were wellknown for iron making and, if not for the Roman Empire, the Celtic nation could dominate all of Europe. Via research work high number of experiments was made. There were many experiments with different starting properties and different conditions. This paper is primarily oriented towards the thermal properties of a furnace replica. Heat properties were examined. The experimental furnace which was fitted with thermocouples was studied thoroughly. There were twenty thermocouples in total installed. These thermocouples were installed in two layers. Other thermocouples were installed at the top, bottom, and inner end of the tuyere. Subsequently, the chemical properties of the slag were investigated and compared with historical findings. In this case, a striking similarity with the preserved findings was confirmed. Diffraction and fluorescence methods of examination of the samples were used for the analysis. Finally, the iron bloom and its chemical composition were investigated via SEM technology.