In 2008 part of a Roman road and artisanal structures were excavated in Courrendlin, to the south of Delémont, at the locality Vers la Vieille Eglise. The remains were in the area of an old meander of the river Birse, a soaked area, which prevented the establishing of a permanent settlement. In a pit from the first century charcoal was made, typically used as fuel in metallurgy. A few meters away was an oblong hearth from the second century. It must have been used by smiths, because by-products of the forging were found. In eleven hearths, in pits of different sizes, bones were burned, for the most part of the ox. The resulting grease will have been used for the treatment of steel. Slags were found, half-products, and damaged iron objects intended for melting down.
View of the excavations. Demarez et al. 2011, Fig. 68.
Detail of an oven. Demarez et al. 2011, Fig. 58.
Literature
Demarez et al. 2011.
[9-Dec-2023]