Archéométrie des déchets de production sidérurgique. Moyens et méthodes d'identification des différents éléments de la chaîne opératoire directe

This paper is not a handbook of archaeometry, but a statement of methods for the studies of ancient ironmaking wastes and products, for the archaeologists. The features of the main iron making processes and their products are explained after some basic concepts of mineralogy, metallurgy and on physico-chemical processing. The main methods of studies used in archaeometry applied to the productions and scraps are being discussed, especially the one about the low shaft furnace or direct process.