Origin and diffusion of the protohistoric siderurgy in the East of Spain: the miner-metallurgical combined of the council term of Seno (Bajo Aragón, Spain)

Abstract

Two mines have been studied opencast, also a low level mine with bony remains, Iberian ceramics, etc., which was pulled down for its sealing off. Likewise, the remains of a reduction furnace were also analyzed. The analysis of the ferrous slag obtained in three nearby deposits, has helped to understand its formation in the furnace, as well as the ores that were used during the process, the work temperatures, etc. The characterization of two ferrous objects was carried out, one was an Iberian period object and the other one from the First Age of Iron. The operating system of the Iberian reduction furnaces has been determined too. The conclusions permitted to know the development of a miner-metallurgical process, between the V and III century B.C. corresponding with the diffusion of siderurgy in the studied area.