19th century ferrous metallurgy

[Paul Belford]

The Historical Metallurgy Society is holding a spring day meeting on 19th-Century Ferrous Metallurgy. This intended to be a working meeting for professionals engaged in the subject. The focus will be on the discussion of recent archaeological projects and the issues associated with these kind of sites, especially large-scale sites. The meeting is being organised by Anna Badcock and will be held in Sheffield on 18th April 2008. The programme is as follows:


Rod Mackenzie (ARCUS): Time for a new paradigm - excavating large-scale metalworking sites

Paul Belford (Ironbridge): Er... I wonder what all these brick flues are for? (and other questions)

Dan Atkinson (Headland): The Govan Ironworks at Dixon's Blazes, Glasgow

Martin Stockwell (YAT) (to be confirmed): Excavations at Saville St, Sheffield

Effie Photos-Jones: Excavations at Monklands, Lanarkshire

Helen Gomersall (WYAAS): Whose idea was this, exactly? - Development Control Decisions and Iron-working sites

Chris Ball (Hawley Collection): Beware of the pitfall! Some issues with historical & documentary sources

David Cranstone (Cranstone Consultants): Govan, Maesteg, Swalwell - different sites, same problems?


The cost will be £18 which will include refreshments and buffet lunch.
Further details and an attendance form can be found on the HMS website.

http://www.hist-met.org/sheffield2008.html


Look forward to seeing you there.






Edited to add David Cranstone's paper.

[Austin Ainsworth]

Hi Paul,

will their be anything on Ironbridge's work in Barrow-in-furness?

If you ever wondered how you get triangles from a cow, you need buttermilk and cheese and an equilateral chainsaw. Half Man Half Biscuit

[Paul Belford]

Hi Oz

Yes I hope to mention Barrow as an example along with various other sites. It would be good to have you along and to have the benefit of your expertise on Barrow and other sites you may have worked on after leaving Ironbridge.

What are you up to these days?

Paul

[Paul Belford]

STOP PRESS!

Another paper has been added to the already interesting selection.

David Cranstone (Cranstone Consultants): Govan, Maesteg, Swalwell - different sites, same problems?



Paul

[Austin Ainsworth]

Hi again,

it would be good to come along, there are issues of methodology relating to that type of site which would be useful to discuss with yourself and others who have excavated similar sites. It's also worth considering non-ferrous metallurgical production sites of a similar vintage, order of complexity and size, for example, OAs ongoing work on a nine hectare copperworks in Swansea (almost full digital recording of the total excavation of the site).

At the end of November last year I decided to leave commercial archaeology. As you know my main area of interest was the archaeology of the Industrial Age (deliberate capitals), specifically viewing large-scale industrial complexes of the 19th century as the archaeology of the urban working class. This expanded into a more holistic view of the period (if you haven't already, read Stephen Hughes, 'Copperopolis'). Since then I've been looking at contemporary archaeology as a way of understanding modern society.

Commercial archaeology isn't really geared up to look at those aspects of archaeology and the demands of the commercial sector meant that I didn't have the time to pursue those interests. Perversely, leaving full-time employment as an archaeologist allows me more time to devote to... err... archaeology! There are other reasons why I left commercial archaeology but Dave's AUP mean that they will have to be the subject of an off-forum discussion.

In short, I'm still in Oxford and working three days a week for BMW (four days if I want the overtime) and have the rest of the week to pursue my own interests.

Oz

If you ever wondered how you get triangles from a cow, you need buttermilk and cheese and an equilateral chainsaw. Half Man Half Biscuit

[Paul Belford]

Hi Oz

Working for BMW in Oxford - are you making Minis at Cowley? Marvellous.

Yes the archaeology of the modern world is quite an interesting subject. Sadly the debate in 'industrial archaeology' remains (as ever) polarised between those who are stuck in what Shane Gould referred to as a 'techno-centric paradigm' and those who develop extensive theoretical arguments whilst not knowing the difference between a hot-blast stove and their elbow.

Contemporary archaeology is interesting too (you may recall our involvement in the Transit Van project). However there is too little engagement between the primarily academic theoretical development of the subject, and the primarily commercial empirical development of the subject. As in other areas of archaeology (qv. Richard Bradley).

Copperopolis is certainly a very thorough survey by the RCHAMW. The OA work at Swansea is very interesting, as is the way in which the project has been managed through CgMs. I shall say no more, but PM me for a long-overdue chat...

Paul


PS. I too have been pondering the notion of leaving archaeology to give me more time to pursue archaeology! For the time being I have chosen to stay inside the tent, but good luck on the outside!




Edited for reasons of nonsensical sentences.

[Austin Ainsworth]

Hi Paul,

The polarised debate in 'industrial archaeology' is as you say somewhat sad, one would hope by now that the theoretical and practical sides of the argument would have found some common ground to meet over. My own research into the functional aspects of industrial complexes were a way of understanding the people who worked in them and by extension their position and role within the society they lived within. The archaeology itself, the cogs and sprockets, were a means to an end not the end itself.

I do indeed remember the Transit Van project, as somebody who sat in that van many times, I took a keen interest in the project. for me the most interesting aspect of it wasn't the archaeology but the art work which it inspired. As to contemporary archaeology in the commercial world I think it will take an extremely farsighted curator to be willing to include that type of work in a brief and then be willing to fight for its retention. My hopes for such are not great.

I've PM'd you my mobile number, feel free to get in touch.

Oz

If you ever wondered how you get triangles from a cow, you need buttermilk and cheese and an equilateral chainsaw. Half Man Half Biscuit

[Paul Belford]

Cheers Oz, I shall give you a ring in the next few days.

You wrote:

quote:The archaeology itself...[was] a means to an end not the end itself.

I agree absolutely 100%.

[Paul Belford]

A cheeky bump. But this is now only a few weeks away!