Spätmittelalterliche/frühneuzeitliche Edelmetallgewinnung

The book contains the results of the archaeological research of Late Medieval/Renaissance precious metal production in the mining area Bockharttal in Salzburg. The exemplary study traces the way of the ore from the underground mining to the transportation to the smelting sites.The focal points of the archaeological excavations are a group of houses (three chronological phases) with a big smithy and an ore dressing plant. The archaeological findings enable the reconstruction of the living and working conditions of the miners as well as the work of the smith and the different phases of dressing the ore. The simultaneous use of a simple ore crusher and an ore mill is the first known archaeological evidence of the initial stage of the change from ore mills to the more efficient ore crushers. The archaeological findings and the finds are documented in their entirety. The complex of iron finds in the big smithy is of special importance. It is the biggest known complex of miners` tools and implements of the time of Georg Agricola. Statistical analysis was used for the documentation and interpretation of the finds. A method for the documentation and interpretation of finds specific for mining sites (such as smithy slags) has been developed. All relics of historical mining found in the Bockharttal are documented. Scientific analysis done on selected finds form an important addition. The part played by geophysical prospection in the planning of the archaeological excavation as well as in the interpretation of locations that could not be excavated is documented in detail. Introductory chapters deal with the geology of the area and the history of the mining. The mining technique, the work of the smith, the system of transportation and the daily life of the miners of the 16th century are described according to the contemporary sources and the results of the archaeological excavation. An extensive glossary of terms realted to mining concludes the book.