Significant numbers of medieval metal items have been excavated in the region. There is also extensive written evidence for medieval metal working in South East Scotland. Excavations at Kelso Abbey have revealed evidence of copper-alloy working during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries (Lowe et al 2005). However, fewer medieval metal working sites have been identified in the region than might be expected, at both religious and secular sites. Interestingly, the Scottish Bloomeries project did not find evidence of extensive monastic involvement in iron working – despite religious houses making considerable use of iron products (Hall 2006, 38). The relationship between medieval metal working sites and later locations used for the same industry perhaps deserves greater study. Large numbers of post-medieval smithies are recorded in written records and on maps and it is possible that earlier metal-working was also taking place at some of these sites.
Metalworking Research Questions
- What were the main sources of ore for metal working in South East Scotland in the medieval period?
- Were there bloomeries or other forms of iron smelting in South East Scotland during the medieval period?
- How did urban and rural metalworking compare? To what extent did the burghs dominate metalworking?
- Where were smithies located?
- How much continuity was there in the occupation of smithies? Were these sites which were used over long time periods? Can we find evidence of temporary smithies / smithies erected for specific events or crises?
- Was there a significant increase in the production of metal objects over the medieval period?
- Did metalworking techniques change significantly during the medieval period?
- What can we discover about goldsmiths and silversmiths? To what extent was the working of precious metals focused on Edinburgh?