The bloomery mounds of the Scottish Highlands. Part 2: A review of iron mineralization
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Published
Jan 1, 2022
Abstract
The regional and local geology underlies the availability and type of natural resources, be it ore, woodland or water, and was the fundamental influence on the locations chosen for iron making. Possible sources of iron ore available to early bloomery iron workers in Scotland have been established from the recorded sources of iron ore. Moreover, using modern knowledge of iron geochemistry
as well as the local and regional geology, further potential sources of iron may be predicted. The question of the original ore used at a bloomery site can be tackled by looking for the remains of ore processing/crushing, using techniques such as ore petrography. In spite of much geological evidence for potential iron ores other than bog ore, no positive evidence for their use was found at the
bloomery sites investigated. Iron-rich manganiferous slags with minor silica suggest that bog iron ore was used.
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References
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Al-Ameen S I 1979, Mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry of the banded iron formation, Gairloch, NW Scotland. Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Keele.
Bethke C M 1996, Geochemical Reaction Modelling Oxford University Press (New York)
Brock T D, Madigan M T, Martinko J M and Parker J 1994, Biology of Micro-organisms, 7th edition.
Crew P and Crew S 1995, ‘Medieval bloomeries in Coed y Brenin: magnetic susceptibility surveys as a management tool’, in P Crew and S Crew (eds), Iron for Archaeologists: Abstracts (Plas Tan y Bwlch), 70.
Dixon J H 1886, Gairloch in North-West Ross-Shire: Its Records, Traditions, Inhabitants, and Natural History with a Guide to Gairloch and Loch Maree, 4th reprint (Fort William 1984).
Fischer W R and Schwertmann U 1975, ‘The formation of haematite from amorphous III hydroxide’, Clays and Clay Minerals, 23, 33-7.
Hall A J 1993, ‘Stratiform mineralization in the Dalradian of Scotland’, in R A D Pattrick and D A Polya (eds), Mineralization in the British Isles (London), 38-101.
Harder E C and Johnson A W 1918, Bulletin of Minnesota Geological Survey, 15, Minneapolis.
Hill J B 1905, The geology of Mid-Argyll (Glasgow: Memoirs of the Geological Survey, Scotland).
James H L 1966, ‘Chemistry of the iron-rich sedimentary rocks’, in M Fleischer, Data of Geochemistry. US Geol Surv. Prof. paper 440-W, (Washington).
James H L 1992, ‘Precambrian iron-formations: nature, origin, and mineralogic evolution from sedimentation to metamorphism’, in K H Wolf and G V Chilingarian (eds), Diagenesis III: Developments in Sedimentology, 47, 543-89.
Johnson M R W 1991, ‘Dalradian’, in Craig G Y (ed), Geology of Scotland, 3rd edition (London), 125-60.
Jones E M, Rice C M and Tweedie J R 1983, ‘Lower Proterozoic stratiform Cu-Zn-Au mineralization near Gairloch, Wester Ross, northwest Scotland. Technical Note’, Transactions Institution Mining Metallurgy (Sect B: Appl Earth Sci) 92, B160-61.
Jones E M, Rice C M and Tweedie J R 1987, ‘Lower Proterozoic stratiform sulphide deposits in Loch Maree Group, Gairloch, northwest Scotland’, Transactions Institution Mining Metallurgy (Sect B: Appl Earth Sci) 96, B128-40.
Macadam W I 1881, ‘Notice of veins of specular iron ore at Strachur, Argyllshire’. Transactions Geological Society Edinburgh 4, 95.
Macadam W 1887, ‘Notes on the ancient iron industry of Scotland’, Proceedings Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 21, 89-131.
MacGregor M, Lee G W and Wilson G V 1920, The Iron Ores of Scotland. Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain. XI: Iron Ores contd (London: Memoirs Geological Survey of Great Britain).
Nicholson K undated, The geology and history of the Lecht iron-manganese mine, Tomintoul, Banffshire (Elgin: Moray District Council Museums Information Sheet 8).
Oades J M 1963, ‘The nature and distribution of iron compounds in soils’, Soils and Fertilizers, 26, 69-80.
Park R G 1978, ‘The Tollie and Gairloch Districts (Lewisian)’, in A J Barber et al (eds), The Lewisian and Torridonian Rocks of North-West Scotland (London: Geologists’ Association Guide 21), Itinerary VI, 59-72.
Park R G 1991, ‘The Lewisian Complex’, in G Y Craig (ed), Geology of Scotland, 3rd edition (London), 25-65.
Peach B N, Horne J, Gunn W, Clough C T and Hinxman L W 1907, The Geological Structure of the North-West Highlands of Scotland (London: Memoirs Geological Survey of Great Britain).
Percy J 1886, Metallurgy: Iron and Steel (London).
Photos-Jones E, Atkinson J A, Hall A J and Banks I 1998, ‘The bloomery mounds of the Scottish Highlands. Part 1: the archaeological background’, Historical Metallurgy 32(1), 15-
32.
Postma D 1977, ‘The occurrence and composition of Recent Ferich carbonates in a river bog’ Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 47, 1089-98.
Shepherd T J and Goldring D C 1993, ‘Cumbrian hematite deposits, north-west England’, in R A D Pattrick and D A Polya (eds), Mineralization in the British Isles (London),419-45.
Tylecote R F 1986, The prehistory of metallurgy in the British Isles (London).
Waychunas G A 1991, ‘Crystal chemistry of oxides and oxyhydroxides’, in D H Lindsley (ed), Oxide Minerals: Petrologic and Magnetic Significance. Reviews in Mineralogy 25, 11-68.
Winchell, N H 1891, The Iron Ores of Minnesota (Minneapolis: Bulletin of the Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, 6).
Young T 1993, ‘Sedimentary iron ores’, in R A D Pattrick and D A Polya (eds), Mineralization in the British Isles (London), 446-89.
Al-Ameen S I 1979, Mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry of the banded iron formation, Gairloch, NW Scotland. Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Keele.
Bethke C M 1996, Geochemical Reaction Modelling Oxford University Press (New York)
Brock T D, Madigan M T, Martinko J M and Parker J 1994, Biology of Micro-organisms, 7th edition.
Crew P and Crew S 1995, ‘Medieval bloomeries in Coed y Brenin: magnetic susceptibility surveys as a management tool’, in P Crew and S Crew (eds), Iron for Archaeologists: Abstracts (Plas Tan y Bwlch), 70.
Dixon J H 1886, Gairloch in North-West Ross-Shire: Its Records, Traditions, Inhabitants, and Natural History with a Guide to Gairloch and Loch Maree, 4th reprint (Fort William 1984).
Fischer W R and Schwertmann U 1975, ‘The formation of haematite from amorphous III hydroxide’, Clays and Clay Minerals, 23, 33-7.
Hall A J 1993, ‘Stratiform mineralization in the Dalradian of Scotland’, in R A D Pattrick and D A Polya (eds), Mineralization in the British Isles (London), 38-101.
Harder E C and Johnson A W 1918, Bulletin of Minnesota Geological Survey, 15, Minneapolis.
Hill J B 1905, The geology of Mid-Argyll (Glasgow: Memoirs of the Geological Survey, Scotland).
James H L 1966, ‘Chemistry of the iron-rich sedimentary rocks’, in M Fleischer, Data of Geochemistry. US Geol Surv. Prof. paper 440-W, (Washington).
James H L 1992, ‘Precambrian iron-formations: nature, origin, and mineralogic evolution from sedimentation to metamorphism’, in K H Wolf and G V Chilingarian (eds), Diagenesis III: Developments in Sedimentology, 47, 543-89.
Johnson M R W 1991, ‘Dalradian’, in Craig G Y (ed), Geology of Scotland, 3rd edition (London), 125-60.
Jones E M, Rice C M and Tweedie J R 1983, ‘Lower Proterozoic stratiform Cu-Zn-Au mineralization near Gairloch, Wester Ross, northwest Scotland. Technical Note’, Transactions Institution Mining Metallurgy (Sect B: Appl Earth Sci) 92, B160-61.
Jones E M, Rice C M and Tweedie J R 1987, ‘Lower Proterozoic stratiform sulphide deposits in Loch Maree Group, Gairloch, northwest Scotland’, Transactions Institution Mining Metallurgy (Sect B: Appl Earth Sci) 96, B128-40.
Macadam W I 1881, ‘Notice of veins of specular iron ore at Strachur, Argyllshire’. Transactions Geological Society Edinburgh 4, 95.
Macadam W 1887, ‘Notes on the ancient iron industry of Scotland’, Proceedings Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 21, 89-131.
MacGregor M, Lee G W and Wilson G V 1920, The Iron Ores of Scotland. Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain. XI: Iron Ores contd (London: Memoirs Geological Survey of Great Britain).
Nicholson K undated, The geology and history of the Lecht iron-manganese mine, Tomintoul, Banffshire (Elgin: Moray District Council Museums Information Sheet 8).
Oades J M 1963, ‘The nature and distribution of iron compounds in soils’, Soils and Fertilizers, 26, 69-80.
Park R G 1978, ‘The Tollie and Gairloch Districts (Lewisian)’, in A J Barber et al (eds), The Lewisian and Torridonian Rocks of North-West Scotland (London: Geologists’ Association Guide 21), Itinerary VI, 59-72.
Park R G 1991, ‘The Lewisian Complex’, in G Y Craig (ed), Geology of Scotland, 3rd edition (London), 25-65.
Peach B N, Horne J, Gunn W, Clough C T and Hinxman L W 1907, The Geological Structure of the North-West Highlands of Scotland (London: Memoirs Geological Survey of Great Britain).
Percy J 1886, Metallurgy: Iron and Steel (London).
Photos-Jones E, Atkinson J A, Hall A J and Banks I 1998, ‘The bloomery mounds of the Scottish Highlands. Part 1: the archaeological background’, Historical Metallurgy 32(1), 15-
32.
Postma D 1977, ‘The occurrence and composition of Recent Ferich carbonates in a river bog’ Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 47, 1089-98.
Shepherd T J and Goldring D C 1993, ‘Cumbrian hematite deposits, north-west England’, in R A D Pattrick and D A Polya (eds), Mineralization in the British Isles (London),419-45.
Tylecote R F 1986, The prehistory of metallurgy in the British Isles (London).
Waychunas G A 1991, ‘Crystal chemistry of oxides and oxyhydroxides’, in D H Lindsley (ed), Oxide Minerals: Petrologic and Magnetic Significance. Reviews in Mineralogy 25, 11-68.
Winchell, N H 1891, The Iron Ores of Minnesota (Minneapolis: Bulletin of the Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, 6).
Young T 1993, ‘Sedimentary iron ores’, in R A D Pattrick and D A Polya (eds), Mineralization in the British Isles (London), 446-89.
How to Cite
The bloomery mounds of the Scottish Highlands. Part 2: A review of iron mineralization. (2022). Historical Metallurgy, 32(2), 54-66. https://www.hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/306
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The bloomery mounds of the Scottish Highlands. Part 2: A review of iron mineralization. (2022). Historical Metallurgy, 32(2), 54-66. https://www.hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/306