Howdy histarchers,
 
Continuing a forum started earlier this month on blacksmithing sites,  I
am particularly interested in blacksmithed artifacts as an explicit
archaeological class.  Have there been any publications on this, i.e.
how to describe, analyze, and conserve blacksmithed artifacts when
recovered in any type of historical context, in addition to actual sites
of blacksmithing?  I am actually examining the artifacts from the East
Central Nevada Pony-Express blacksmithing site mentioned in an earlier
mailing by Mark Henderson (Jacobs Well site), but would like to learn
more of this in a widely applicable way.  For instance, the wrought iron
nature of the Jacobs Well artifacts has left many of them very fragile,
as long-term  exposure to moisture leads the iron to separate into thin
layers.  Conservation in this case is critical from the time that they
are uncovered, as much was lost with some examples which essentially
shook apart between field and lab due to not being tightly bundled in
packing.  Maintaining excavation-context moisture levels in transit may
also be important here.  In terms of analysis I am interested in
techniques employed during blacksmithing and how these may be noted from
artifact examination: from my limited blacksmithing experience I know
that forge welding is one major aspect of the craft, and should be
visible on relevant examples.  Heat treating/annealing/tempering is
another aspect.
 
Any help on this topic would be very appreciated.
 
 
Larry Buhr
Graduate Student
University of Nevada, Reno
(specialist in sites of brick manufacture and brick artifact analysis)