The Exploitation, Processing and Use of Softstone in Northern Madagascar and Its Links to the Indian Ocean World, 800-1500 Ce

History

Nitsche, Christoph

Africa

Librum Pub & Eititors Llc

<p>From the 11th to the 14th century, a population known as the Rasikajy lived along the northeastern coast of Madagascar. They developed their own smelting technique. The presence of iron slag in this area had long been attested, but no detailed study had been carried out. Between 2017 and 2021, three excavation campaigns were carried out and several test pits were dug, thus updating our knowledge of this area of Madagascar. Approximately 150 slag heaps located between Vohemar and Cape Masoala were described and documented, representing about 450 tons of slag. All the remains are similar and are linked to a single smelting tradition based on the use of small pit furnaces dug into the sandy substratum, without any clay superstructure. Small lateritic concretions with remarkably high grades were used as ore. Short cylindrical tuyeres with a funnel-shaped perforation were used and connected to bellows. Frequently, these tuyeres were made by drilling a block of stone with a rotary tool. The Rasikajy smelting technique appears not to have derived from any other more sophisticated smelting tradition around the Indian Ocean. Rather, it seems to have independently emerged from basic smithing techniques. The study of the slag shows a poor control of the smelting process. It appears that iron production remained a sporadic and unspecialized activity. It is even likely that this production was insufficient to meet the local need for metal, and that they had to rely on imports through the Indian Ocean trade.</p>

Iron Metallurgy in Northeastern Madagascar: Study of Rasikajy Metallurgical Production Between the 11th and 15th Centuries

Morel, Melissa

<p>Die vorliegende Untersuchung der archaologischen und anthropologischen Befunde und Funde aus mehreren Grabungen in Windisch (V.08.1, V.87.5, V.88,1, V.92.3 und V.93.1) fokussiert auf die spatantiken Bestattungen am Hangfua des Windischer Sporns. Im Bereich eines Gebaudekomplexes aus dem 1. Jh. n. Chr. wurden in der Spatantike in 26 Grabern 38 Menschen bestattet. Bei sechs Grabern handelt es sich um Doppel- oder Mehrfachbestattungen, worin 18 Individuen beigesetzt wurden. Die anthropologische Auswertung zeigte, dass die Mehrheit der Toten mannlich und unter 30 Jahre alt war. Die Bestatteten hatten keine guten Lebensbedingungen und litten zu Lebzeiten an physiologischem Stress. Verschiedene Indizien machen es wahrscheinlich, dass die Toten Opfer einer Seuche wurden.</p>

Fruher Tod Im Spatantiken Vindonissa: Interdisziplinare Teilauswertung Des Spatantiken Graberfelds Windisch-tschanz (Veroffentlichungen Der Gesellschaft Pro Vindonissa, 28) (German Edition)

Baumann, Michael

Ancient Civilizations

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