Peat Burns: The Methods and Implications of Peat Charcoaling
The Northern Isles of Scotland offer a fascinating case study for understanding past economies and resource management due to the comparative lack of trees found elsewhere in the British Isles. Archaeological evidence proves that this environment did not prevent the development of industrial pursuit...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
EXARC
2023-03-01
|
| Series: | EXARC Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10677 |
| Summary: | The Northern Isles of Scotland offer a fascinating case study for understanding past economies and resource management due to the comparative lack of trees found elsewhere in the British Isles. Archaeological evidence proves that this environment did not prevent the development of industrial pursuits in this region during the Iron Age and local accounts dating to the 19th -20th centuries detail how blacksmiths were charcoaling peat in pursuit of metalworking endeavours. Little, however, is known about this peat charcoaling process. By following the peat charcoaling steps identified in ethnographic and historic accounts from the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland it was possible to create this fuel with relative success. This paper describes the way in which 155.6kg of peat was charcoaled across 10 attempts which produced an average yield higher than would be expected from charcoaling wood via similar methods. Small fluctuations in the moisture content of the peat and differences in fanning style had no statistical relationship with the yields produced. The experience of the charcoaler appears key as an even temperature profile was challenging to attain with possible repercussions for the quality of the fuel for the iron smelter and smith. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2212-8956 |