Israeli Underwater Excavations Reveal Earliest Hoard of Iron Blooms From 600 B.C.E.

The earliest evidence of a grouping of iron blooms has been discovered in a shipwreck off the Carmel coast. A recent study announcing the discovery was published in NPJ Heritage. According to the researchers, the analysis of the ancient cargo “provides unique and unprecedented insight into early bloom production, handling and maritime transport during the Iron Age”—around 2,600 years ago, the time of the biblical King Josiah. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal interviews lead author Prof. Tsilla Eshel of the School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures, University of Haifa, about the discovery.

 

 what are "iron blooms"?

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 Iron blooms are 

porous, solid masses of iron and slag produced by smelting iron ore in a furnace called a bloomery. Primarily used as a precursor to wrought iron, they are hammered while hot to expel slag and consolidate the metal, also known as "sponge iron". 

Usage Examples

• Wrought Iron Production: Hammering to remove slag and create forged, malleable iron billets for tools and weapons.

Also known as:

• Sponge Iron: Refers to the porous mixture of metallic iron and slag produced in the bloomery.
• Bloomery Iron: Iron directly produced from a bloomery.