Iron Age glass beads

Metal-working at Birnie

Evidence was found of Bronze Age and Iron Age metal-working areas in the site.

Bronze-casting workshop

Metal-working excavations

Above: Excavations in progress on a metal-working area. Here people were casting bronze objects in the late Bronze Age. It lies at the edge of the settlement, and was only used for a short period.

The bronze casting process

Above:

  • Using a model to make moulds
  • Preparing the mould for use
  • Melting the bronze
  • Pouring the molten bronze into the moulds
  • Smashing the mould to reveal the objects

Iron smelting furnace

Remains of iron smelting furnace

Above: Remains of two iron-smelting furnaces. The left one is choked with the collapsed remains of its clay chimney. The right one was build to replace it. These are probably Iron Age.

Tiny fragment of spear mould found at Birnie

Tiny fragment of spear mould.

Artist's impression of iron smelting

Artist's impression of an iron smelting furnace.

National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130