Metallurgical handcraft among western German population between the VIth and the VIIth centuries: handicraft working, manufacturing and decorative techniques

In all western Germanic societies craft was basically carried out within the domestic economy, but of course there were several activities pertaining solely to skilled craftsmen. Among these, we can mention iron working, non-ferrous and precious metalworking, wheel-turned pottery production and some wood and horn working techniques, such as the manufacturing of staved barrels and horn combs made from assemblage of several parts; finally it is to be noted the production of hand-turned grindstones. Iron was the raw material for the production of tools, instruments and weapons; before being forged, it was generally melted in primitive, low-temperature furnaces, plunged into the soil and used for one single casting.