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Start Over Subject(s) archaeology Subject(s) metalworking Date 2009

1. Excavations at a metal working area, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
Archaeological excavations of Mound 6 at Ngre Kataa in 2009 expose a workshop where blacksmiths produced iron and copper-alloy tools and ornaments. The mound is being excavated in 2 x 2 meter units named for the coordinates of their northeast corner. In unit 50N 0W (foreground), an area of burned soil marks the location where blacksmiths heated metals. A pottery jar sits in place to the right. In surrounding units (50N 2W, 48N 0W, 48N 2W) are large anvil stones where the hot metals would have been hammered and shaped through forging. The mound's stratified deposits suggest that the workshop area was used for many decades, and perhaps centuries, between the years of about 1350 and 1520 CE (Common Era). View across the mound from the northeast looking towards the southwest. Site Ngre Kataa. 27 June, 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Workshop; Mound 6
Subjects Facet:
Handicraft; Metallurgy; Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging; Excavations (Archaeology); Iron; Copper alloys
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-27
Genre:
Digital image
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
People Facet:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

2. Burned features and insitu stones, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
View across open excavations in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The photo centers on units 46N 8W (foreground) and the southern half of 48N 8W, the north wall of which (at 47N) can be seen behind the sign board. The exposed areas were excavated in 2008 and the photo taken in preparation for 2009 excavations. Traces of circular burned features, red-orange and yellow in color, can be seen in the freshly scraped surface of these units. The uppermost north arrow sits to the right (east) of the circular outline of a still-buried everted-rim jar. Another everted-jar rim can be seen exposed in the north wall at 47N. This rim and associated artifacts formed cluster B, part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) that extended across the northern half of unit 48N 8W (beneath and behind the small tree trunk visible above and left of the sign board). Cluster A (unit 46N 8W) comprised a large pottery bowl surrounded by six iron bangles that was removed in 2008. It was positioned above and slightly west (left) of the burned feature (center photo) that is intersected by a tree root. Cluster B included the artifacts seen here in the north wall at 47N, together with an associated cluster of a pedestal-handled pot lid, dog skull and jaw bones revealed by further excavation beneath and west (left) of the tree stump. In the upper right of the photo (north and east), insitu anvil (GS 09-15, left) and grinding (GS 09-12, right) stones are visible in unit 50N 6W. Photo scales marked in 5 cm increments and measuring tape marks 2 m. Arrows pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 6 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19170; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19143; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19152
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Units 46-48N 8W, 100 cm bd
Date:
2009-06-06
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Pottery; Shrines
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-06
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa; 8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

3. Burned features unit 50N 8W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
A cluster of burned features is exposed in the northwest corner of excavation unit 50N 8W in an area interpreted by archaeologists as a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). Along the unit's west wall (left in photo) is an amorphous zone of fire-hardened red (Munsell color 2.5YR 3/6) matrix. A piece of brass bar (SF NK 09-293) was found in soil associated with this burned feature. Above and to the right (northeast), two circular burned features are visible in outline. These basin-shaped features had a thin lining of fire-hardened sediment, red to dark red (Munsell 2.5 YR 3/6 & 4/8) in color. The basins were filled with loose ashy sediment and small pieces of charcoal. A sample of burned matrix from feature 1 (top right basin) yielded a thermoluminescence (TL) age estimate of 1500 +/- 40 CE (Univ. Wash. 2455). Further excavation revealed additional basin-shaped features beneath the amorphous burned feature. The excavation unit's northwest corner peg is visible, upper left. View looking north. Site Ngre Kataa. 27 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19109; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19111
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 50N 8W,Level 6
Date:
2009-06-27
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-07
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

4. Excavated burned basins, unit 50N 8W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
A cluster of burned basin-shaped features is exposed in the northwest corner of unit 50N 8W in an area interpreted by archaeologists as a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). The basins comprised a thin layer of fire-hardened sediment, red to dark red (Munsell colors 2.5 YR 3/6 & 4/8) in color. Basin features 1 (top right) and 2 (left of feature 1) measured about 8-9 cm deep and were filled with ashy soil. Basin feature 5 (far left) was shallower. Its fire-hardened surface showed a pinkish tinge. Samples of burned basin matrix from features 1 and 5 yielded thermoluminescence (TL) age estimates of 1500 +/- 40 CE (feature 1; Univ. Wash. 2455) and 1580 +/- 40 CE (feature 5; Univ. Wash. 2456). Photo bar marked in 5 cm increments. Arrows pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 29 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19110
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 50N 8W,Level 6
Date:
2009-06-29
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-29
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

5. Anvil stone in a metallurgical workshop, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
A boulder used as an anvil stone (GS 09-07) sits insitu in an excavated area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop. A black-and-white photo scale stick stands vertically against it. The boulder's upper surface shows signs of use wear and its north-facing side is marked by a cup-shaped depression that resulted from repeated use. To the north (left), a fist-sized hammer stone (GS 09-09) rests insitu on a pedestal of soil left in place as the unit was excavated. Two stones showing evidence of use as grinding stones sit nearby, a north arrow placed by one(GS 09-10; center photo) and one in the southwest corner of the excavation unit (GS 09-08; bottom right). Another insitu anvil stone (GS 09-6) sits in the northeast corner of an adjacent excavation unit (48N 0W; top right of photo). The narrow band of loose soil angled across the southwest corner of the excavation was created by a burrowing animal. Photo stick and small arrow scale in 5 cm intervals. Photo scale arrows pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 2 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19119
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 50N 0W, Level 2
Date:
2009-06-02
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone; Grinding stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-02
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

6. Anvil stone in a metallurgical workshop, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
A boulder used as an anvil stone (GS 09-01) sits insitu in an excavated area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop. This was one of several boulders associated with burned features and other residues of metalworking. The boulder's upper surface showed signs of use wear and its south-facing side is marked by a deep cup-shaped depression that resulted from repeated use. A burned feature interpreted as the remains of a forge is visible behind the anvil stone (upper left) in the northwest corner of excavation unit 50N 2W. Flat photo scale in cm. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 1 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19122
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 50N 2W, Level 4
Date:
2009-06-01
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-01
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

7. Anvil stones in a metallurgical workshop, mound 6, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
Excavations uncovered three insitu boulders placed in a row that were used as anvil stones in an area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop. Multiple surfaces of the boulders show signs of wear caused by hammering and grinding. Repeated use of the anvil stone in the foreground (GS 09-03) has created a clear depression on its upper surface and its left side is flattened by wear. The middle anvil stone (GS 09-02) has multiple depressions created by use on its upper surface. The anvil in the rear of the photo (GS 09-01) shows wear on its top and side surfaces, with dirt still embedded in a deep cup-shaped depression on its south-facing side in this photo. To the east (right) of the boulder in foreground, the flat surface of a grinding stone (GS 09-04) is visible in the east wall of the excavation unit. A broken pedestal base of a pot sits on its side to the east (right) of the middle anvil stone. In the upper left corner of the photo, a burned feature interpreted by archaeologists as the remains of a forge has been exposed. The red-and-white band above the photo sign is a two meter scale, marked in 10 cm increments. View looking north across two exavation units: 50N 2W (top of photo) and 48N 2W (bottom of photo). The 2x2m units have been excavated to slightly different depths. Site Ngre Kataa. 1 June, 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19121; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19181; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19182
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Units 48N 2W and 50N 2W, Level 4
Date:
2009-06-01
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-01
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

8. Burned feature, unit 46N 2W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
Two views of a burned basin-shaped feature (Feature 2) in mound 6, unit 46N 2W, part of an area that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The feature has been sectioned to reveal its profile. Viewed from the top, the circular feature consists of a ring of fire-hardened yellowish red (Munsell color 5YR 5/8) sediment. The fire-hardened matrix is thicker at its top edge than it is at the bottom of the basin, where its color is dark red (Munsell 2.5YR 3.6). In profile view (second photo), the basin appears as a narrow band of yellowish red fire-hardened sediment. The fire-hardened sediment is thin and rounded at the base of the basin, suggesting that it may have formed around a round-based vessel used to heat metals. A thermoluminescence sample of the burned matrix yielded a date of 1490 +/- 50 years (Univ. Wash. 2364). Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 23 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19112
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 46N 2W, L7
Date:
2009-06-23
Location(s) Facet:
8.11277778, -2.30611111
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-23
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

9. Stratified deposits, south wall, unit 50N 0W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
The southeast corner of excavation unit 50N 0W in mound 6 shows stratified layers that accumulated in an area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). An anvil stone (top of photo; GS 09-06) is pedestaled insitu in the adjacent excavation unit (48N 0W). This stone was found immediately below the mound's top surface. A smaller grinding/anvil stone is visible in the east wall of unit 50N 0W, at a depth of one meter below. Burned orange-red lenses that archaeologists interpret as features associated with processing metals are visible in the strata between the stones. Evidence suggests that these layers built up through repeated use of this location for metalworking activities. Stadia rod numbered intervals of 10 cm. View looking south. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 July 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19117
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Univ 50N 0W, South Wall
Date:
2009-07-09
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone; Grinding stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-07-09
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

10. Stratified deposits, south wall, unit 50N 0W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
The south wall of excavation unit 50N 0W in mound 6 shows stratified layers that accumulated in an area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop. An anvil stone (GS 09-06; left of the sign board) is pedestaled insitu in the adjacent excavation unit (48N 0W). Other pedestaled grinding stones are visible to the right and behind the sign board. These stones were found just below the mound's top surface. A smaller grinding/anvil stone is visible in the east wall of unit 50N 0W, at a depth of one meter below the anvil stone. Burned orange-red lenses that archaeologists interpret as features associated with processing metals are visible in the strata between the stones. Ashy lenses are visible in the south and west walls. Evidence suggests that these layers built up through repeated use of this location for metalworking activities. Width of unit: 2 meters. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 July 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19116
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Univ 50N 0W, South Wall
Date:
2009-07-09
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone; Grinding stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-07-09
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Sketchfab Uid:
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111