Methodological Framework for Experiments Related to Bloomery Iron Production Procedures: Ore Preparation and Smelting

Systematic, well-designed experimental research and standardized documentation is a starting point for explaining the outcome of experiments and comparative analyses, whether within single experimental research or a wider frame of comparison with other research. This contribution presents a sequence of research procedures that served as a basis for the design and implementation of experiments related to bloomery iron production procedures. A proposal for the method of documentation is made with the aim of combining all general functional parameters relevant to the procedures of ore preparation and direct process of reduction in the reconstruction of a smelting furnace, based on personal experiences and the current state of experimental research related to iron production. The objective is to give a structured basic template of main parameters that should be recorded and reported when performing experiments related to the mentioned procedures. The hope is to bring forward a layout that should be upgraded and further developed based on specific research questions one could have.