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Smelting Furnace - Sierra Leone, West Africa
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Smelting Furnace - Sierra Leone, West Africa
Smelting in a bloomery-type furnace in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
circa 1910s
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 20528773
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Fabrication Furnace Heat Heating Iron Leone Metallurgy Metalwork Metalworking Methods Process Sierra Smelting Technology
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, taken in the early 1910s, a skilled artisan in Sierra Leone, West Africa, is shown working at a traditional bloomery-type furnace. The image captures the intense heat and physical labor involved in the smelting process, as the furnace roars with flames and sparks fly. Bloomery-type furnaces were used for centuries in Africa and other parts of the world to extract iron from its raw ore. The process involved heating the iron ore in a crucible made of clay or other materials, which was then hammered into blooms or small ingots. These blooms could then be further refined or used to produce tools, weapons, or other metal objects. The scene depicted in the photograph is likely set in a rural area, as the furnace appears to be surrounded by lush vegetation and mud. The artisan, dressed in simple clothing, is focused intently on his work, using long iron rods to stir the molten iron and maintain an even temperature. The heat from the furnace is intense, and the air is filled with the sounds of sizzling metal and the rhythmic pounding of the hammer. Despite the primitive appearance of the equipment, the smelting process was a complex and sophisticated technology that required a deep understanding of metallurgy and industrial processes. The ability to extract iron from its raw form was a valuable skill, and the metal was a key component of trade networks that connected different regions of Africa and the wider world. This photograph offers a glimpse into the rich history of metalworking in West Africa and the important role that traditional techniques played in the production of iron and other metals. It also highlights the resilience and ingenuity of African artisans, who developed innovative methods to harness the power of fire and transform raw materials into valuable commodities.
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