2 research outputs found
Historical water-powered ferrous metallurgy reconstructed from tree-rings and lacustrine deposits (Mała Panew basin, southern Poland)
According to historical sources in the basin of Mała Panew River there were at least 56 water-
powered iron smelters from 14th–19th century. Now only two metallurgy plants work in the area.
Many of the former smelting settlements ceased to exist. Historical data on the smelting industry in
the area are often scarce. The aim of the study was to reconstruct the history of ferrous metallurgy
from (1) the remains of wooden historical buildings, (2) remains of charcoal kilns and (3) deposits
from former smelter pond. Results show that Regolowiec smelting settlement existed already in the
17th century (at least several decades earlier than historical written sources suggest) and was later repaired
after destruction caused probably by floods. Charcoal used for iron smelting in the ironworks
in Brusiek on the Mała Panew River was burnt at the turn of the 18th century. This is in accordance
with historical sources indicating particular prosperity of the metallurgy in that period. Upstream of
the ironworks in Brusiek in the first half of the 17th century a large pond existed flooding the floor of
the Mała Panew valley. Study has shown that the pond was at least 100 years older than historical
sources have indicated