Early Efforts to Smelt Iron in Central Anatolia: Analysis of Iron Artefacts from the Bronze Age in Kaman-Kalehöyük

A group of iron artefacts were excavated from the stratigraphic layers at Kaman-Kalehöyük in Central Anatolia, which were dated to the Middle and Early Bronze Ages. Some of them were re-analysed to discuss the state of iron production during such early periods, in terms of intentional carburization. The artefacts were re-examined via a minimally invasive approach by using optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to determine their chemical composition and microstructure. It was observed that the artefacts are composed of iron and/or steel. However, it is difficult to assert that they were produced as steel intentionally, because of their varying C contents and the lack of correlation between C content and artefact type. Such a finding could highlight the range in early efforts to smelt iron, while ancient metal workers were trying to figure out how to control furnace conditions during the Bronze Age in Central Anatolia.