Cast Iron Cauldrons Uncovered in Shehr Al-Djedid (Orheiul Vechi / Old Orhei, Republic of Moldova)

Abstract

The present paper deals with the use of cast iron cauldrons in medieval urban settlements east of the Carpathian, controlled by the Golden Horde, employing as a case study the archaeological finds uncovered within the medieval site of Old Orhei (Orheiul Vechi, Republic of Moldova). Therefore, the objective of the paper is to provide novel data on this category of cooking vessels, uncovered during archaeological excavations carried out within this site in the valley of Raut River, during the campaigns of 1947–2018. This information will complete the database on the morphology and chronology of cast iron vessels, as well as the territorial spread of this category of artifacts in the western part of the area ruled by the Golden Horde in the fourteenth century.

Keywords

• archaeology
• cast iron
• cooking ware
• golden horde
• shehr al-djedid / old orhei
• 14th century