Crannog Casts Back to The Bronze Age

Locals and visitors alike watched flames melt solid bronze into molten metal at the Scottish Crannog Centre in August during their ‘Fun at the Foundry event led by Dundee artist and sculptor, Roddy Mathieson. The molten metal was used to shape Bronze Age weapons and jewellery as part of the Centre’s experimental archaeology programme. Youngsters enjoyed helping pump the large bellows used to supply air to the charcoal furnace to heat it to the required temperature of 1300 degrees. Lumps of bronze were melted in a special container known as a crucible. Once up to temperature, the crucible was removed and secured in a steel ring so that the liquid metal could be poured safely into the prepared moulds. Visitors were also able to see how the moulds were created, as Roddy impressed a copy of a 2,500 year swan’s neck pin into cuttlefish shells, and then made sand moulds for bronze axes. He also demonstrated the ancient ‘lost wax’ method where beeswax was used.

The original pin was found by the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology (STUA) during their excavations of the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age site of Oakbank Crannog in Loch Tay.

The well-preserved ornament is an example of jewellery that suggests its owners held high status. The team has also discovered the burnt remains of a small crucible made of clay.

Tools & Weapons

Discoveries of Bronze Age tools and weapons are not uncommon in Perthshire, with several past finds of axes, swords, and a unique ladle-shaped object having been made in Amulree and Aberfeldy. The STUA’s underwater team hope to find similar objects as they continue their research and fieldwork.

The weekend was so successful that Roddy is returning on Sunday, 24 September to lead a specialised workshop for a small number of budding metalworkers from 11am to 5pm.

All participants will be able to work the bellows and furnace, make their own moulds, and cast and keep their metalwork.

While numbers are restricted, a few places are still available. Please telephone the Centre on 01887 830583 or email on info@crannog.co.uk to reserve a place.

For further details of the Centre’s ‘Awesome Autumn’ events programme, check local What’s On listings or visit the website at www.crannog.co.uk