Byzantine and Ottoman mineral exploration and smelting in eastern Macedonia, Greece and their implications for regional economies
The study outlined here is an investigation of mining and smelting evidence across eastern Macedonia in northern Greece particularly through the Byzantine (AD 324-1453) and Ottoman (AD 1453-1912) periods. Diverse evidence for mineral exploration and metallurgical extraction in the ancient and medieval past exists throughout this region bounded by the Strymon and Nestos river valleys. Through an integrated approach to survey, site characterization and scientific analysis of metallurgical debris it has been intended to approach issues of interrelatedness between subsistence and production sectors, and address questions relating to Byzantine economy and technological complexity. Documentary evidence from antiquity, late Byzantine Mount Athos charters and Ottoman cadastral registers refer to local, large-scale iron production in the region. Although at present there exists no clear understanding of the chronology for the various production sites, surveys and analytical studies carried out elsewhere have been proven enlightening towards that end. Further, the actual practices represented at these sites remains to be established. Although the mainstay of the metallurgical traditions seems to be iron metallurgy,
Nerantzis, Nerantzis X.
Byzantine and Ottoman mineral exploration and smelting in eastern Macedonia, Greece and their implications for regional economies. The study outlined here is an investigation of mining and smelting evidence across eastern Macedonia in northern Greece particularly through the Byzantine (AD 324-1453) and Ottoman (AD 1453-1912) periods. Diverse evidence for mineral exploration and metallurgical extraction in the ancient and medieval past exists throughout this region bounded by the Strymon and Nestos river valleys. Through an integrated approach to survey, site characterization and scientific analysis of metallurgical debris it has been intended to approach issues of interrelatedness between subsistence and production sectors, and address questions relating to Byzantine economy and technological complexity. Documentary evidence from antiquity, late Byzantine Mount Athos charters and Ottoman cadastral registers refer to local, large-scale iron production in the region. Although at present there exists no clear understanding of the chronology for the various production sites, surveys and analytical studies carried out elsewhere have been proven enlightening towards that end. Further, the actual practices represented at these sites remains to be established. Although the mainstay of the metallurgical traditions seems to be iron metallurgy,
byzantine ottoman mineral exploration smelt eastern macedonia greece implication regional_economy study outline investigation mining smelt evidence across_eastern macedonia northern_greece particularly byzantine ottoman period diverse evidence mineral exploration metallurgical extraction ancient_medieval past exists throughout_region bound river_valley integrate survey site characterization scientific_analysis metallurgical_debris intend issue subsistence production sector address_question relate byzantine economy technological complexity documentary_evidence antiquity late_byzantine mount charter ottoman register refer local large_scale iron_production region although present exists clear chronology various production site_survey analytical study_carry elsewhere prove enlighten towards_end actual_practice represent site remain establish although mainstay metallurgical tradition seem iron metallurgy