Excavations at the Springfield Furnace, Mercer Co., PA, and the Euro-British Charcoal Iron Technological Tradition in America

Summary

An archaeological field investigation, inaugurated by John R. White of Youngstown State University in 2007, ultimately revealed the remains of an antebellum, single tuyere, charcoal iron blast furnace located in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The facility, originally called the Seth and Hill Furnace, is presently known as the Springfield Furnace by locals. The configuration, constructed generally of heavy ashlar and rubble detritus, is listed historically as utilizing heated air, or 'hot blast' (Lesley 1859:108). Hot blast was a technical innovation in the 1830s geared to economize on time, labor, and fuel and thus increase iron production. Revelations include the discovery of an intact hearth-forehearth locus associated with a preserved tuyere embrasure that is capped by an integrated, protective iron tuyere box within the base of the hearth proper. Further, an intact "Staffordshire" type water-cooled breast was discovered. The untimely passing of White in 2009 created a vacuum for his students and volunteers from all walks of life. The group of dedicated field technicians created the John R. White Community Archaeology Association to continue this important work. The present report is an attempt to educate a potential readership about 'lost worlds' in their own back yards.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20435