La cultura metalúrgica del hierro en el Pirineo durante la Edad Media [The medieval iron metallurgy culture in the Pyrenees]

Abstract

Until the end of the 19th century, the Pyrenean region had its own ironmaking tradition based on the direct reduction process. This process took place in a low and open furnace in which iron was obtained by the direct reduction system using hydraulic energy. It is known in literature as the «Catalan furnace», «Catalan farga» or «Catalan process». Archaeological evidence obtained in recent years indicates that in this area the same model of furnace, although with smaller dimensions, was part of the ironmaking culture of the pre-water-powered phase, when work was done by manpower. This phase has been dated to between the 9^th and 14^th centuries.