Brenselsstrategi i yngre romertids jernfremstilling. En case-study i skogsutnyttelse og bruk av brensel fra Sandeid, Vindafjord kommune, Rogaland

Abstract

Relatively little charcoal analysis has been conducted in western Norway, despite its considerable potential to contribute to the interpretation of archaeological sites. This is especially relevant in the case of ironworking and other industries which require large amounts of fuel. In 2018 excavations in Sandeid, Vindafjord k. revealed the largest ironworking site so far investigated on cultivated land in Rogaland. The site included slag pits, a possible forge furnace, midden deposits, and a building with a sunken floor; all dated to the Roman Iron Age. Charcoal-rich structures were sampled to investigate their function as well as to contribute to wider discussions of fuel use, forest management and vegetation history. Here we present the results of this analysis and discuss the potential of charcoal analysis to contribute to the interpretation of ironworking sites in Norway.