• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2022

The study, iron-making process was examined through the scientific analysis of six by-products that were obtained during iron making at the Songdu-ri site in Jincheon. The total Fe content of the slags excavated from the Songdu-ri site was 36.29-54.61 wt%, whereas the deoxidation agent was 26.48-49.08 wt%. The compound analysis result indicated that fayalite and wüstite are the main compounds in slag. Furthermore, the microstructure analysis result confirmed the presence of fayalite and wüstite in the slag. It can be inferred from the flat shape in a bright matrix structure of the hammer scales that forging was performed in the latter stage. The Raman micro-spectroscopy results confirmed that the surface was hematite (Fe₂O₄), middle layer was magnetite (Fe₃O₄), and inner layer was wüstite (FeO). The presence of smelting and smithing slags, spheroid hammer scales, and flake hammer scales suggests that at the Songdu-ri site, iron-making process is carried out by division of labor into producing iron bloom through direct smelting, refining and forge welding, and ingot production.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2021

This study analyzes six slags excavated from the iron making site in Gogi-ri, Namwon, Korea to understand the characteristics of the ruins, and to confirm the iron making process performed at the time. The chemical components of the iron making by-products from the Gogi-ri site were analyzed, and the findings indicate total Fe contents between 23.24% and 37.56%, which are lower than the typical total Fe content found in ancient iron making processes. The deoxidation agent contents of the slags ranged from 43.88% to 58.13%, which are higher than the typical deoxidation agent content of ancient iron making processes. The high content suggests smooth separation between iron and slags, and TiO₂ detected from the site suggests the use of materials with high titanium content in the iron making in the region. As for the microstructures of the slags, some slags have long pillar-shaped fayalites, while others have pillar-shaped wüstite along with ulvöspinel. Slags from the forging furnace show hammer scales created by both the earlier stages and later stages of forging work. The findings suggest that the iron making site in Gogi-ri, Namwon, Korea used to be an iron making facility where a full range of iron making process was carried out ranging from smelting to forging, and the ironmakers used a wide array of technologies to manufacture iron products.