Saussus, L., 2022. Liés par le métier. Les professionnels du métal à Douai à la fin du Moyen Âge, Bruxelles, Académie royale de Belgique (Mémoire de la Classe des Lettres et des Sciences morales et politiques. Collection in 8, IVe série), 312 p., 2022
Entre les XIIIe et XVe siècles, à Douai, comme dans d’autres villes, les métallurgistes du fer, d... more Entre les XIIIe et XVe siècles, à Douai, comme dans d’autres villes, les métallurgistes du fer, du cuivre, de l’étain, du plomb, de l’or et de l’argent participent à un marché varié et polymorphe d’objets et de fournitures en métal. À partir de quelques milliers de documents, cet ouvrage s’intéresse à la vie collective et individuelle des membres de ce groupe professionnel : leur nombre, leur répartition topographique, leur niveau de vie, leurs activités, parfois multiples. Les liens entre ces hommes, ces femmes et ces familles sont étudiés, qu’ils relèvent de la confiance, de l’amitié ou de la mobilité des capitaux, qu’ils soient le socle de stratégies matrimoniales ou de transmission de ce qui fait le métier, y compris l’atelier, les outils et les savoir-faire.
En 2014, les fouilles archéologiques préventives réalisées par Monument Vandekerckhove aux abords... more En 2014, les fouilles archéologiques préventives réalisées par Monument Vandekerckhove aux abords du village d’Oostvleteren (Flandre occidentale) ont révélé les vestiges d’un atelier métallurgique daté entre la fin du Xe et le début du XIe siècle. Établi aux confins du pagus de l’Yser, le domaine de Fletrinio in pago Isseretio est caractéristique des propriétés qui se développent dans la plaine maritime flamande à cette période. Le travail conjoint des alliages à base de cuivre et de l’argent ainsi que du fer y met en exergue le rôle économique et l’importance sociale du site dont le noyau d’habitat, doté d’une église, est tôt adossé à une résidence castrale. Une unique fosse témoigne de cet atelier dont les nombreux déchets ont été étudiés à l’aide de méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives. Ils éclairent les différents aspects de la production et permettent d’en apprécier l’intensité. Les techniques de fonderie et de l’affinage de l’argent par coupellation, la qualité et la provenance des terres utilisées, les alliages mis en œuvre, les indices de l’élaboration du laiton par cémentation, ainsi que le répertoire des objets fabriqués sont mis en lumière, comblant une lacune pour la période et la région. Prenant en compte les enjeux environnementaux et définissant le cadre historique, étroitement corrélés, la polyvalence d’un artisan, sa sédentarité, sa mobilité voire son origine sont mises en question. Il en ressort que, dans un environnement favorable aux échanges maritimes et commerciaux, l’atelier d’Oostvleteren a produit de petites séries d’objets de la parure, très probablement liée à l’équipement du cheval et du cavalier, au bénéfice d’une clientèle privilégiée.
In 2014, archaeological excavations in advance of development were carried out by Monument Vandekerckhove nv at the edge of the village of Oostvleteren (West Flanders). They revealed the remains of a medieval metallurgical workshop dating from the late 10th to early 11th centuries. Established on the outskirts of the pagus of the Yser, the estate of Fletrinio in pago Isseretio is typical of the Flemish maritime plain during this period. The working of copper-based alloys, silver and also iron highlights the economic role and the social importance of the site whose centre, with its church, had an early castle next to it. The finds from a single pit provide evidence of the activity of the workshop, and they were studied using both qualitative and quantitative methods. They shed light on the different aspects of production and its intensity. The techniques of casting and of silver refining by cupellation, the quality and provenance of the clay and the alloys used, the evidence of brass cementation, as well as the range of objects produced are filling a gap in our knowledge for the period and the area. Taking into account the related environmental issues and historical framework, the multiple skills of the craftsman are considered, as are his origins and whether he was settled or itinerant. It appears that in an environment favourable to maritime and commercial exchanges, the Oostvleteren workshop produced small series of decorative objects, most probably harness fittings and riding equipment for a privileged clientele.
De 1983 à 1987, une fouille archéologique rue Saint-Julien à Douai révèle un atelier et ses quelq... more De 1983 à 1987, une fouille archéologique rue Saint-Julien à Douai révèle un atelier et ses quelques milliers de déchets témoignant d’un travail du cuivre et de ses alliages au XIIIe siècle. Cette publication examine l’unité de production à la lumière des sources archéologiques, mais aussi de sources écrites et archéométriques. Elle présente le cadre de la découverte à l’échelle de la ville jusqu’à celle de la parcelle en s’intéressant à l’intégration des métiers du cuivre dans le tissu urbain. L’étude de la stratigraphie et des structures composant cet atelier dans un vaste espace de près de 1 000 m² précède l’analyse du mobilier métallurgique, des techniques variées, en particulier celles des réparations de vaisselle, mais aussi des alliages mis en œuvre. Enrichie par l’examen du travail du fer, associé à celui du cuivre, et d’une partie de la vaisselle en céramique consommée sur le site, l’étude illustre un de ces ateliers de proximité qui ont subsisté à côté des grands centres de production tels ceux de la vallée de la Meuse. Voué à l’entretien des vaisselles, enclin à répondre à des commandes variées, ce type d’ateliers actifs aux échelles locales, celles de la ville et de ses alentours, profite de la circulation des productions de masse mises sur le marché à une échelle globale.
From 1983 to 1987, an archaeological excavation along the rue Saint-Julien in Douai revealed a workshop and its several thousand pieces of waste, testifying to the work of copper and its alloys during the 13th century. In this book, the workplace is examined in the light of archaeological sources, but also of written and archaeometric sources. It presents the framework of the discovery from the global scale of the city to the particular plot by focusing on the integration of the metalworking professions into the urban fabric. The study of the stratigraphy and structures composing this workshop in a vast space of nearly 1,000 m² precedes the analysis of the metallurgical finds, of the various techniques, in particular those of cooking and table utensil’s repairs, but also of the alloys used. Enriched by the examination of the ironwork associated with the copperwork, and part of the ceramic tableware consumed on the site, the study illustrates one of these local workshops that have survived alongside major production centres, such as those in the Meuse valley. Dedicated to the maintenance of crockery, inclined to respond to various demands, this type of workshop, active at the local level of the city and its surroundings, benefits from the circulation of mass productions placed on the market on a global scale.
Programme du colloque "Hommes et travail du métal dans les villes médiévales : 35 ans après" se t... more Programme du colloque "Hommes et travail du métal dans les villes médiévales : 35 ans après" se tenant à Paris les 12, 13 et 14 septembre 2019. Inscriptions : colloquehtm2019@gmail.com
The symposium Craftsmen and Metalworking in Medieval Cities: 35 Years Later addresses the metallu... more The symposium Craftsmen and Metalworking in Medieval Cities: 35 Years Later addresses the metallurgies of iron, copper, tin, lead and precious metals, which produced a wide variety of objects necessary for urban life at the end of the Middle Ages. The nature, volume and possible standardization of production may be studied, as well as the needs of the city, the practices and techniques of craftsmen, their knowledge and know-how. The relationships between the crafts and between the craftsmen themselves might be examined, including dependency links, pluriactivity, networks of sociability or local relationships in urban areas. The identity and regulation of these crafts, their integration into urban society, their relationship with the surrounding rural areas and with other cities may also be revisited. The symposium will be interdisciplinary in nature, promoting dialogue between historians, archaeologists and archaeometry, without excluding anthropological approaches to learning and knowledge.
This contribution synthesises the PIXE and ICP-AES elemental analyses carried out on a large data... more This contribution synthesises the PIXE and ICP-AES elemental analyses carried out on a large dataset, comprising of 300 copper-alloy objects dating mainly to the Late Middle Ages. The objects are drawn from heritage institutions and archaeological contexts in various regions between the Meuse and the Loire rivers (France and Belgium). This investigation focuses on the main elements that make up the alloys (Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb). Past studies have often defined the composition of an alloy as an intentional choice, however in this paper we aim to identify the constraints in alloy manufacture in a bid to understand the degree of freedom enjoyed by craftsmen during this period. We will also evaluate to what degree the constraints imposed by technique, economic conditions and social requirement, affected production in a complex multifactorial system. We have opted to define alloys by object type, functional area and social context, by chronology and product ranges. For cast table-and the kitchenware, we have observed that alloys and the objects are standardised on a trans-regional scale. Conversely, the hammered objects are produced with a greater freedom, leading to a new hypothesis regarding specific workshop practices. Finally, we will propose a predictive model for cast objects that we hope is better suited for the study of heritage objects, their materials and their production processes, to be verified in future studies. This approach emphasises the importance of considering everything that makes an object what it is: its function, status and place in the market, when researching heritage materials.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 14:185, 2022
Ash cupels were widely used in early modern Europe for small-scale refining of noble metals in ar... more Ash cupels were widely used in early modern Europe for small-scale refining of noble metals in artisanal workshops, mints and assay offices. The manufacture and use of cupels display considerable variability from context to context, which poses both challenges and opportunities for modern investigation. Here, we present the analytical study of an unusually large cupel recovered from castle of Middelburg-in-Flanders (Belgium), probably dated to the sixteenth or early seventeenth century, which we discuss in connection to historical sources and other archaeological finds. We demonstrate that the cupel was made of bone ash mixed with a small fraction of another calcareous material, and most likely used for the refining of silver heavily debased with copper. We illustrate simple methods to investigate the manufacture of cupels and the nature and amount of metals being refined, as well as approaches to assess and discuss cupellation performance in archaeological contexts.
Saussus L. et Louis É., 2018, « Loin des grands centres de production, proche des usages… Un chau... more Saussus L. et Louis É., 2018, « Loin des grands centres de production, proche des usages… Un chaudronnier du 13e siècle à Douai », in Thomas N. et Dandridge P. (éd.), Cuivre, bronzes et laitons médiévaux : Histoire, archéologie et archéométrie des productions en laiton, bronze et autres alliages à base de cuivre dans l’Europe médiévale (12e-16e siècles). Medieval copper, bronze and brass: History, archaeology and archaeometry of the production of brass, bronze and other copper alloy objects in medieval Europe (12th-16th centuries), [Actes du colloque de Dinant et Namur, 15-17 mai 2014. Proceedings of the symposium of Dinant and Namur, 15-17 May 2014], Namur, Agence wallonne du Patrimoine, p. 115‑121 (Études et documents, Archéologie ; 39). La ville de Douai n'est pas réputée pour ses productions d'objets en alliages à base de cuivre. Pourtant, il y a presque trente ans, une fouille archéologique inédite a révélé un atelier de chaudronnier daté du 13e siècle à la rue Saint-Julien. L'atelier livre quelques structures, des niveaux de sol, et surtout plusieurs centaines de déchets métallurgiques qui permettent d'interroger la nature de l'activité sur le site. Cette activité s'est installée sur un vaste terrain, dans un quartier en cours d'urbanisation, sur la rive gauche de la Scarpe. Les restes laissés par l'artisan témoignent principalement d'un travail de martelage et de découpe de tôles pour la fabrication et la réparation de récipients, mais aussi de la fonderie. L'organisation de l'atelier est approchée au travers de la répartition spatiale de ces artefacts, tout en prenant en compte la gestion de ces déchets et le biais de leur conservation pour évaluer l'intensité du travail du métal. Ainsi, à travers les sources écrites et archéologiques, est posée la question de l'importance de l'activité métallurgique et de son marché. The city of Douai is not known for its production of copper alloys objects; yet, almost thirty years ago, archaeological excavations revealed a coppersmith's workshop on Saint-Julien street dating from the 13th century. Some structures, occupation levels, and hundreds of pieces of metallurgical waste were discovered, allowing the nature of the activity to be investigated. The site is installed on a vast field in an urban area on the left bank of the Scarpe river. The wastes suggest the workshop was mainly occupied with the hammering and cutting of metal sheets to make and repair vessels, but there are also foundry remains. Spatial distribution of the artifacts enables us to understand the workshop's organization and its waste management and conservation practices. The paper assesses the intensity of the metalworking according to written and archaeological sources.
HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific r... more HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Cycle de l’objet, recyclage de la matière : réparer, détourner, fondre et refondre le cuivre et ses alliages (Ve -XVIIIe siècle) Nicolas Thomas, Lise Saussus
Saussus, L., 2022. Liés par le métier. Les professionnels du métal à Douai à la fin du Moyen Âge, Bruxelles, Académie royale de Belgique (Mémoire de la Classe des Lettres et des Sciences morales et politiques. Collection in 8, IVe série), 312 p., 2022
Entre les XIIIe et XVe siècles, à Douai, comme dans d’autres villes, les métallurgistes du fer, d... more Entre les XIIIe et XVe siècles, à Douai, comme dans d’autres villes, les métallurgistes du fer, du cuivre, de l’étain, du plomb, de l’or et de l’argent participent à un marché varié et polymorphe d’objets et de fournitures en métal. À partir de quelques milliers de documents, cet ouvrage s’intéresse à la vie collective et individuelle des membres de ce groupe professionnel : leur nombre, leur répartition topographique, leur niveau de vie, leurs activités, parfois multiples. Les liens entre ces hommes, ces femmes et ces familles sont étudiés, qu’ils relèvent de la confiance, de l’amitié ou de la mobilité des capitaux, qu’ils soient le socle de stratégies matrimoniales ou de transmission de ce qui fait le métier, y compris l’atelier, les outils et les savoir-faire.
En 2014, les fouilles archéologiques préventives réalisées par Monument Vandekerckhove aux abords... more En 2014, les fouilles archéologiques préventives réalisées par Monument Vandekerckhove aux abords du village d’Oostvleteren (Flandre occidentale) ont révélé les vestiges d’un atelier métallurgique daté entre la fin du Xe et le début du XIe siècle. Établi aux confins du pagus de l’Yser, le domaine de Fletrinio in pago Isseretio est caractéristique des propriétés qui se développent dans la plaine maritime flamande à cette période. Le travail conjoint des alliages à base de cuivre et de l’argent ainsi que du fer y met en exergue le rôle économique et l’importance sociale du site dont le noyau d’habitat, doté d’une église, est tôt adossé à une résidence castrale. Une unique fosse témoigne de cet atelier dont les nombreux déchets ont été étudiés à l’aide de méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives. Ils éclairent les différents aspects de la production et permettent d’en apprécier l’intensité. Les techniques de fonderie et de l’affinage de l’argent par coupellation, la qualité et la provenance des terres utilisées, les alliages mis en œuvre, les indices de l’élaboration du laiton par cémentation, ainsi que le répertoire des objets fabriqués sont mis en lumière, comblant une lacune pour la période et la région. Prenant en compte les enjeux environnementaux et définissant le cadre historique, étroitement corrélés, la polyvalence d’un artisan, sa sédentarité, sa mobilité voire son origine sont mises en question. Il en ressort que, dans un environnement favorable aux échanges maritimes et commerciaux, l’atelier d’Oostvleteren a produit de petites séries d’objets de la parure, très probablement liée à l’équipement du cheval et du cavalier, au bénéfice d’une clientèle privilégiée.
In 2014, archaeological excavations in advance of development were carried out by Monument Vandekerckhove nv at the edge of the village of Oostvleteren (West Flanders). They revealed the remains of a medieval metallurgical workshop dating from the late 10th to early 11th centuries. Established on the outskirts of the pagus of the Yser, the estate of Fletrinio in pago Isseretio is typical of the Flemish maritime plain during this period. The working of copper-based alloys, silver and also iron highlights the economic role and the social importance of the site whose centre, with its church, had an early castle next to it. The finds from a single pit provide evidence of the activity of the workshop, and they were studied using both qualitative and quantitative methods. They shed light on the different aspects of production and its intensity. The techniques of casting and of silver refining by cupellation, the quality and provenance of the clay and the alloys used, the evidence of brass cementation, as well as the range of objects produced are filling a gap in our knowledge for the period and the area. Taking into account the related environmental issues and historical framework, the multiple skills of the craftsman are considered, as are his origins and whether he was settled or itinerant. It appears that in an environment favourable to maritime and commercial exchanges, the Oostvleteren workshop produced small series of decorative objects, most probably harness fittings and riding equipment for a privileged clientele.
De 1983 à 1987, une fouille archéologique rue Saint-Julien à Douai révèle un atelier et ses quelq... more De 1983 à 1987, une fouille archéologique rue Saint-Julien à Douai révèle un atelier et ses quelques milliers de déchets témoignant d’un travail du cuivre et de ses alliages au XIIIe siècle. Cette publication examine l’unité de production à la lumière des sources archéologiques, mais aussi de sources écrites et archéométriques. Elle présente le cadre de la découverte à l’échelle de la ville jusqu’à celle de la parcelle en s’intéressant à l’intégration des métiers du cuivre dans le tissu urbain. L’étude de la stratigraphie et des structures composant cet atelier dans un vaste espace de près de 1 000 m² précède l’analyse du mobilier métallurgique, des techniques variées, en particulier celles des réparations de vaisselle, mais aussi des alliages mis en œuvre. Enrichie par l’examen du travail du fer, associé à celui du cuivre, et d’une partie de la vaisselle en céramique consommée sur le site, l’étude illustre un de ces ateliers de proximité qui ont subsisté à côté des grands centres de production tels ceux de la vallée de la Meuse. Voué à l’entretien des vaisselles, enclin à répondre à des commandes variées, ce type d’ateliers actifs aux échelles locales, celles de la ville et de ses alentours, profite de la circulation des productions de masse mises sur le marché à une échelle globale.
From 1983 to 1987, an archaeological excavation along the rue Saint-Julien in Douai revealed a workshop and its several thousand pieces of waste, testifying to the work of copper and its alloys during the 13th century. In this book, the workplace is examined in the light of archaeological sources, but also of written and archaeometric sources. It presents the framework of the discovery from the global scale of the city to the particular plot by focusing on the integration of the metalworking professions into the urban fabric. The study of the stratigraphy and structures composing this workshop in a vast space of nearly 1,000 m² precedes the analysis of the metallurgical finds, of the various techniques, in particular those of cooking and table utensil’s repairs, but also of the alloys used. Enriched by the examination of the ironwork associated with the copperwork, and part of the ceramic tableware consumed on the site, the study illustrates one of these local workshops that have survived alongside major production centres, such as those in the Meuse valley. Dedicated to the maintenance of crockery, inclined to respond to various demands, this type of workshop, active at the local level of the city and its surroundings, benefits from the circulation of mass productions placed on the market on a global scale.
Programme du colloque "Hommes et travail du métal dans les villes médiévales : 35 ans après" se t... more Programme du colloque "Hommes et travail du métal dans les villes médiévales : 35 ans après" se tenant à Paris les 12, 13 et 14 septembre 2019. Inscriptions : colloquehtm2019@gmail.com
The symposium Craftsmen and Metalworking in Medieval Cities: 35 Years Later addresses the metallu... more The symposium Craftsmen and Metalworking in Medieval Cities: 35 Years Later addresses the metallurgies of iron, copper, tin, lead and precious metals, which produced a wide variety of objects necessary for urban life at the end of the Middle Ages. The nature, volume and possible standardization of production may be studied, as well as the needs of the city, the practices and techniques of craftsmen, their knowledge and know-how. The relationships between the crafts and between the craftsmen themselves might be examined, including dependency links, pluriactivity, networks of sociability or local relationships in urban areas. The identity and regulation of these crafts, their integration into urban society, their relationship with the surrounding rural areas and with other cities may also be revisited. The symposium will be interdisciplinary in nature, promoting dialogue between historians, archaeologists and archaeometry, without excluding anthropological approaches to learning and knowledge.
This contribution synthesises the PIXE and ICP-AES elemental analyses carried out on a large data... more This contribution synthesises the PIXE and ICP-AES elemental analyses carried out on a large dataset, comprising of 300 copper-alloy objects dating mainly to the Late Middle Ages. The objects are drawn from heritage institutions and archaeological contexts in various regions between the Meuse and the Loire rivers (France and Belgium). This investigation focuses on the main elements that make up the alloys (Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb). Past studies have often defined the composition of an alloy as an intentional choice, however in this paper we aim to identify the constraints in alloy manufacture in a bid to understand the degree of freedom enjoyed by craftsmen during this period. We will also evaluate to what degree the constraints imposed by technique, economic conditions and social requirement, affected production in a complex multifactorial system. We have opted to define alloys by object type, functional area and social context, by chronology and product ranges. For cast table-and the kitchenware, we have observed that alloys and the objects are standardised on a trans-regional scale. Conversely, the hammered objects are produced with a greater freedom, leading to a new hypothesis regarding specific workshop practices. Finally, we will propose a predictive model for cast objects that we hope is better suited for the study of heritage objects, their materials and their production processes, to be verified in future studies. This approach emphasises the importance of considering everything that makes an object what it is: its function, status and place in the market, when researching heritage materials.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 14:185, 2022
Ash cupels were widely used in early modern Europe for small-scale refining of noble metals in ar... more Ash cupels were widely used in early modern Europe for small-scale refining of noble metals in artisanal workshops, mints and assay offices. The manufacture and use of cupels display considerable variability from context to context, which poses both challenges and opportunities for modern investigation. Here, we present the analytical study of an unusually large cupel recovered from castle of Middelburg-in-Flanders (Belgium), probably dated to the sixteenth or early seventeenth century, which we discuss in connection to historical sources and other archaeological finds. We demonstrate that the cupel was made of bone ash mixed with a small fraction of another calcareous material, and most likely used for the refining of silver heavily debased with copper. We illustrate simple methods to investigate the manufacture of cupels and the nature and amount of metals being refined, as well as approaches to assess and discuss cupellation performance in archaeological contexts.
Saussus L. et Louis É., 2018, « Loin des grands centres de production, proche des usages… Un chau... more Saussus L. et Louis É., 2018, « Loin des grands centres de production, proche des usages… Un chaudronnier du 13e siècle à Douai », in Thomas N. et Dandridge P. (éd.), Cuivre, bronzes et laitons médiévaux : Histoire, archéologie et archéométrie des productions en laiton, bronze et autres alliages à base de cuivre dans l’Europe médiévale (12e-16e siècles). Medieval copper, bronze and brass: History, archaeology and archaeometry of the production of brass, bronze and other copper alloy objects in medieval Europe (12th-16th centuries), [Actes du colloque de Dinant et Namur, 15-17 mai 2014. Proceedings of the symposium of Dinant and Namur, 15-17 May 2014], Namur, Agence wallonne du Patrimoine, p. 115‑121 (Études et documents, Archéologie ; 39). La ville de Douai n'est pas réputée pour ses productions d'objets en alliages à base de cuivre. Pourtant, il y a presque trente ans, une fouille archéologique inédite a révélé un atelier de chaudronnier daté du 13e siècle à la rue Saint-Julien. L'atelier livre quelques structures, des niveaux de sol, et surtout plusieurs centaines de déchets métallurgiques qui permettent d'interroger la nature de l'activité sur le site. Cette activité s'est installée sur un vaste terrain, dans un quartier en cours d'urbanisation, sur la rive gauche de la Scarpe. Les restes laissés par l'artisan témoignent principalement d'un travail de martelage et de découpe de tôles pour la fabrication et la réparation de récipients, mais aussi de la fonderie. L'organisation de l'atelier est approchée au travers de la répartition spatiale de ces artefacts, tout en prenant en compte la gestion de ces déchets et le biais de leur conservation pour évaluer l'intensité du travail du métal. Ainsi, à travers les sources écrites et archéologiques, est posée la question de l'importance de l'activité métallurgique et de son marché. The city of Douai is not known for its production of copper alloys objects; yet, almost thirty years ago, archaeological excavations revealed a coppersmith's workshop on Saint-Julien street dating from the 13th century. Some structures, occupation levels, and hundreds of pieces of metallurgical waste were discovered, allowing the nature of the activity to be investigated. The site is installed on a vast field in an urban area on the left bank of the Scarpe river. The wastes suggest the workshop was mainly occupied with the hammering and cutting of metal sheets to make and repair vessels, but there are also foundry remains. Spatial distribution of the artifacts enables us to understand the workshop's organization and its waste management and conservation practices. The paper assesses the intensity of the metalworking according to written and archaeological sources.
HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific r... more HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Cycle de l’objet, recyclage de la matière : réparer, détourner, fondre et refondre le cuivre et ses alliages (Ve -XVIIIe siècle) Nicolas Thomas, Lise Saussus
Saussus, L., 2018. « Marché de l’occasion et ventes aux enchères. Comptes de successions de Valen... more Saussus, L., 2018. « Marché de l’occasion et ventes aux enchères. Comptes de successions de Valenciennes (XVe siècle - début du XVIe siècle) », 7e école d’été d’histoire économique Les écritures de l’économie aux époques médiévale et moderne : de l’enregistrement de l’activité à l’usage des documents, Suse (Italie), 27 août 2018, communication orale.
Les récentes recherches archéologiques menées dans le puits du château de Logne en Belgique (Ferr... more Les récentes recherches archéologiques menées dans le puits du château de Logne en Belgique (Ferrières, Prov. de Liège) ont révélé un ensemble de récipients en alliages à base de cuivre complétant des découvertes plus anciennes réalisées autour du château. Au total, plus d’une trentaine d’objets forment un corpus cohérent, inédit et rare, du fait notamment de sa conservation exceptionnelle. Ces objets sont principalement liés à la cuisine, à la préparation et à la cuisson des aliments. Cette communication a pour objectif de présenter ces découvertes, de les comparer à d’autres corpus archéologiques connus par ailleurs, de les confronter aux objets que l’on trouve dans les inventaires après décès et les testaments ainsi que les représentations de l’iconographie. La mobilisation de ces sources complémentaires permet en effet de relier les choses à leurs fonctions et à leurs contextes d’utilisation. Pour mieux comprendre la découverte de Logne, il s’agira également de s’interroger sur la spécificité de ce dépôt dans un environnement aristocratique, et plus largement, de saisir le contexte socio-économique de la diffusion de ces objets de cuivre, devenus, à la fin du Moyen Âge, des incontournables de la cuisine, plus solides que la vaisselle en céramique.
Uploads
In 2014, archaeological excavations in advance of development were carried out by Monument Vandekerckhove nv at the edge of the village of Oostvleteren (West Flanders). They revealed the remains of a medieval metallurgical workshop dating from the late 10th to early 11th centuries. Established on the outskirts of the pagus of the Yser, the estate of Fletrinio in pago Isseretio is typical of the Flemish maritime plain during this period. The working of copper-based alloys, silver and also iron highlights the economic role and the social importance of the site whose centre, with its church, had an early castle next to it. The finds from a single pit provide evidence of the activity of the workshop, and they were studied using both qualitative and quantitative methods. They shed light on the different aspects of production and its intensity. The techniques of casting and of silver refining by cupellation, the quality and provenance of the clay and the alloys used, the evidence of brass cementation, as well as the range of objects produced are filling a gap in our knowledge for the period and the area. Taking into account the related environmental issues and historical framework, the multiple skills of the craftsman are considered, as are his origins and whether he was settled or itinerant. It appears that in an environment favourable to maritime and commercial exchanges, the Oostvleteren workshop produced small series of decorative objects, most probably harness fittings and riding equipment for a privileged clientele.
From 1983 to 1987, an archaeological excavation along the rue Saint-Julien in Douai revealed a workshop and its several thousand pieces of waste, testifying to the work of copper and its alloys during the 13th century. In this book, the workplace is examined in the light of archaeological sources, but also of written and archaeometric sources. It presents the framework of the discovery from the global scale of the city to the particular plot by focusing on the integration of the metalworking professions into the urban fabric. The study of the stratigraphy and structures composing this workshop in a vast space of nearly 1,000 m² precedes the analysis of the metallurgical finds, of the various techniques, in particular those of cooking and table utensil’s repairs, but also of the alloys used. Enriched by the examination of the ironwork associated with the copperwork, and part of the ceramic tableware consumed on the site, the study illustrates one of these local workshops that have survived alongside major production centres, such as those in the Meuse valley. Dedicated to the maintenance of crockery, inclined to respond to various demands, this type of workshop, active at the local level of the city and its surroundings, benefits from the circulation of mass productions placed on the market on a global scale.
Inscriptions : colloquehtm2019@gmail.com
knowledge and know-how. The relationships between the crafts and between the craftsmen themselves might be examined, including dependency links, pluriactivity, networks of sociability or local relationships in urban areas. The identity and regulation of these crafts, their integration into urban society, their relationship with the surrounding rural areas and with other cities may also be revisited. The symposium will be interdisciplinary in nature, promoting dialogue between historians, archaeologists and archaeometry, without excluding anthropological approaches to learning and knowledge.
In 2014, archaeological excavations in advance of development were carried out by Monument Vandekerckhove nv at the edge of the village of Oostvleteren (West Flanders). They revealed the remains of a medieval metallurgical workshop dating from the late 10th to early 11th centuries. Established on the outskirts of the pagus of the Yser, the estate of Fletrinio in pago Isseretio is typical of the Flemish maritime plain during this period. The working of copper-based alloys, silver and also iron highlights the economic role and the social importance of the site whose centre, with its church, had an early castle next to it. The finds from a single pit provide evidence of the activity of the workshop, and they were studied using both qualitative and quantitative methods. They shed light on the different aspects of production and its intensity. The techniques of casting and of silver refining by cupellation, the quality and provenance of the clay and the alloys used, the evidence of brass cementation, as well as the range of objects produced are filling a gap in our knowledge for the period and the area. Taking into account the related environmental issues and historical framework, the multiple skills of the craftsman are considered, as are his origins and whether he was settled or itinerant. It appears that in an environment favourable to maritime and commercial exchanges, the Oostvleteren workshop produced small series of decorative objects, most probably harness fittings and riding equipment for a privileged clientele.
From 1983 to 1987, an archaeological excavation along the rue Saint-Julien in Douai revealed a workshop and its several thousand pieces of waste, testifying to the work of copper and its alloys during the 13th century. In this book, the workplace is examined in the light of archaeological sources, but also of written and archaeometric sources. It presents the framework of the discovery from the global scale of the city to the particular plot by focusing on the integration of the metalworking professions into the urban fabric. The study of the stratigraphy and structures composing this workshop in a vast space of nearly 1,000 m² precedes the analysis of the metallurgical finds, of the various techniques, in particular those of cooking and table utensil’s repairs, but also of the alloys used. Enriched by the examination of the ironwork associated with the copperwork, and part of the ceramic tableware consumed on the site, the study illustrates one of these local workshops that have survived alongside major production centres, such as those in the Meuse valley. Dedicated to the maintenance of crockery, inclined to respond to various demands, this type of workshop, active at the local level of the city and its surroundings, benefits from the circulation of mass productions placed on the market on a global scale.
Inscriptions : colloquehtm2019@gmail.com
knowledge and know-how. The relationships between the crafts and between the craftsmen themselves might be examined, including dependency links, pluriactivity, networks of sociability or local relationships in urban areas. The identity and regulation of these crafts, their integration into urban society, their relationship with the surrounding rural areas and with other cities may also be revisited. The symposium will be interdisciplinary in nature, promoting dialogue between historians, archaeologists and archaeometry, without excluding anthropological approaches to learning and knowledge.