Ancient blacksmith's workshop found in South Oxfordshire

The find dates to the beginning of ironworking in Britain and was located near Abingdon by specialists from DigVentures.

Among the finds at the site, on the Earth Trust's land, were artefacts including pieces of hearth lining, hammerscale, an iron bar, and an intact tuyere, an blacksmith's tool used to blow air into the hearth.

The excavation site (Image: DigVentures)

These discoveries are testimony to a significant ironworking operation from the 8th century BC.

Anna Wilson, head of experience and engagement at Earth Trust, said: "At Earth Trust, we're thrilled whenever discoveries at Wittenham Clumps shine a light on the deep history of human activity in this area.

“Nearly 10,000 artefacts were recovered during the dig, and as we continue to analyse them the story gets more and more captivating.

"These new discoveries are literally forging new history before our very eyes and revealing more of the ancient mysteries behind this very special place."

The public will have the chance to see the findings during a "Festival of Discovery" at the Earth Trust visitor centre in Little Wittenham on February 17 and 18.

The tuyere found at the site (Image: DigVentures)

They can learn more about the Iron Age craftsmanship first-hand, as the festival includes talks, workshops, and a pop-up exhibit of artefacts.

The archaeometallurgical specialist examining the finds, Gerry McDonnell, said: "It’s exceptionally rare to find a complete tuyere, especially one that’s as old as this.

"Although there are examples from later periods, including Saxon, Viking-age, and medieval pieces, this is one of the only known Iron Age ones in the country, if not Europe.

"The fact that it dates not just to the Iron Age, but to the first few centuries of ironworking in Britain, is remarkable.

“What’s more, the size of it suggests we’re looking at a hearth that was much larger and more specialised than that of your average village smithy.”

Mr McDonnell added: "The only reason a blacksmith would need a bigger hearth would be if they were forging something long like swords or trade bars, or big like cart wheels.

"These wouldn’t be done by your average village smithy, who would normally take care of everyday objects and repairs.

"The fact that this early Iron Age smithy had a specialist tuyere shows us this was much more likely to have been a serious operation by a highly skilled, elite, or master blacksmith."

Nat Jackson, DigVentures site director, said: “It’s always exciting to uncover the remains of ancient buildings that were occupied thousands of years ago, but it’s even more special when we find such direct evidence of who lived there and what they were doing inside.

"In this case, the range of evidence is remarkable.

"We’ve got almost every component of the blacksmith’s workshop. The only thing we haven’t found is the tools.”

"It’s an incredible thrill to uncover something like this. It basically allows us to peer back in time and see what could have been one of Britain’s earliest master blacksmiths at work."

The excavation area also revealed an Iron Age settlement with roundhouses, an Iron Age pantry, ceremonial animal burials, and the remains of a Roman villa with a pet dog.

The Festival of Discovery in February presents local residents with a chance to familiarize themselves with Oxfordshire's rich ironworking heritage from the Iron Age.