Norbert Hanel, Ingo Pfeffer

The Making of Roman Lead Ingots. Their Casting by Experiment and the Archaeological Evidence

Introduction

The making of roman lead ingots. Their casting by experiment and the archaeological evidence. Discover how Roman lead ingots were cast through archaeological experiments and evidence. Research reveals clay sand and wood moulds, reinterpreting ancient production processes.

Abstract

Casting experiments in Brilon-Hoppecke (North Rhine-Westfalia, Germany) in 2011 and 2012 as well as in 2015 aimed to reconstruct  the production of Roman lead ingots with the help of archaeological experiments on the one hand; on the other hand, traces of the  moulding process on the Roman lead ingots themselves and the epigraphic evidence were examined to provide further information on the production process. The results of this research, suggest that most of the lead ingots were very likely cast in clay sand moulds  which almost completely disintegrated after the ingots had been removed. In a few cases, wood could be verified as the material for the moulds. Finally, all known artefacts associated with the casting of lead ingots have been critically examined and reinterpreted.

Review

This paper, "The Making of Roman Lead Ingots," presents a compelling interdisciplinary approach to understanding ancient metallurgical practices. The authors adeptly combine archaeological experimentation conducted in Brilon-Hoppecke with a rigorous re-examination of existing archaeological and epigraphic evidence. The central aim to reconstruct the production of Roman lead ingots is highly relevant, shedding light on a fundamental aspect of Roman resource management and industrial technology that often receives less attention than more elaborate crafts. The synthesis of hands-on experimental archaeology with critical analysis of primary source material promises a robust and well-supported understanding of the topic. The research effectively addresses its objectives, providing concrete insights into the Roman casting process. The experimental findings strongly suggest that most lead ingots were cast in clay sand moulds, which conveniently disintegrated upon removal – a detail that elucidates the archaeological scarcity of such moulds. The verification of wood as a mould material in some instances adds further nuance to our understanding of the variability in Roman production techniques. Crucially, the paper goes beyond mere reconstruction, critically examining and reinterpreting all known artifacts associated with lead ingot casting, thereby enriching the existing archaeological discourse and potentially correcting past misinterpretations. While the abstract clearly outlines a significant contribution, a full paper would benefit from further elaboration on certain aspects. For instance, a detailed discussion on the nature and extent of the epigraphic evidence, and how it directly informed or corroborated the experimental results, would strengthen the argument. Furthermore, considering the scale of Roman lead production, the paper could explore the potential for regional variations in casting techniques across the vast Roman Empire, and how the findings from Brilon-Hoppecke might generalize or specificize our understanding. Nevertheless, this work stands out as an important and well-executed investigation that significantly advances our knowledge of Roman industrial archaeology.

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