Reserch of Iron Bloom from Nikolskoye Settlement

Abstract

The article presents the results of analysis of the iron bloom from the Nikolskoye settlement, located in the region of Upper Sura. This discovery was made at the settlement site, where multiple finds of iron slag, carbonized bones of domestic animals and pieces of chalk were also recorded. The authors believe that these are evidence of local iron smelting. Spectral analysis of the iron bloom showed admixtures of molybdenum, nickel and vanadium in its composition. The same elements were previously recorded during studies of Novgorod iron items of the 12th – 15th centuries. In the region of Upper Sura such iron blooms obviously came as export goods. However, at present it is not possible to establish of their production area, since there is no data on such studies of iron blooms and products from the settlements of Volga Bolgaria and the Golden Horde.

Keywords

• archaeology
• iron bloom
• spectral analysis
• iron smelting
• nikolskoye settlement
• region of upper sura
• golden horde
• middle ages