Mining Iron

WE 24-0, July, 2022

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Location:

Knappenloch, Weisseck, Lungau, Salzburg, Austria

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Description:

The mining iron has been carefully cleaned and strengthened to ensure that the wood remains stable. The iron was usually held with a handle and served as a chisel. The handle of the iron was not firmly wedged in the hole, but inserted loosely. This arrangement allowed for easy separation and attaching a new iron. This was necessary several times a day because the pointed iron quickly became blunt. The handle of this piece is still partially preserved and measures 8 cm. The mining iron measures almost 13 cm. It is covered all around with light-colored sinter. Many small fluorite splinters are sintered onto two sides of the iron. It is around 360 years old.

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Size: 13 x 10.3 x 3.5 cm