World Archaeometallurgy Congress in Falun 2024

Archaeometallurgy – a multidisciplinary survey 

For 6000 years, the production, processing and use of metals, have played a central role in the development of our society. Metal objects of historical significance reflect the technical knowledge about metal production existing at a given time – and how they were used. The field is broad: from agricultural implements and structural iron to church bells and means of payment such as coins. Archaeometallurgy is a specialist field of archaeology, where scientific methods meet humanistic enquiries about the importance of metals in the human journey.

AiE 2024 – 6^th International Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe

The Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe has been arranged every fourth year since 2003. It is the most important forum for scientific discussion about early metalworking in Europe and other related regions of the Old World. The main goal of this scientific symposium is to present newly acquired insights, new angles of approach and new results arising from complex archaeometallurgical studies.

The two first conferences were held in Italy, namely 2003 in Milan and 2007 in Grado-Aquileia. Subsequently, the conference has been held at Bochum in Germany (2011), Madrid in Spain (2015) and Miskolc in Hungary (2019).

AiE 2024 will be organised by Jernkontoret, who are pleased to extend a warm welcome to international conference participants at the World Heritage Site of Falun, 11–14 June 2024. Collaboration partners for the conference are County Administrative Board Dalarna, Falun Municipality and the World Heritage Site of Falun, Dalarna Museum and Falu Mine.

The Conference’s website:

www.aie2024falun.com

"Falun is a perfect place for an archaeometallurgical world congress"

Catarina Karlsson is an archaeologist and works as Research Co-ordinator, History of Mining and Metallurgy at Jernkontoret, the main organiser of the conference:

“We’re really looking forward to bringing together the international expertise, and I’m convinced that our Swedish researchers have much to contribute to the discussion. For example, we’re planning to be able to present an English language summary of the project "Atlas över Sveriges bergslag", says Catarina Karlsson.

The Atlas project is an extensive survey of 23 mining and metallurgical districts with medieval origin in Bergslagen. The project has been in progress for 30 years. Read more about the project: Ny historisk rapport – ”Kopparbergslagen” – gör Atlas över Sveriges bergslag komplett (article in Swedish)

Stora Kopparberget and Falun were inscribed on Unesco’s World Heritage List in 2001.

“Falun is a perfect venue for an archaeometallurgical world congress as here are many authentic, well-preserved sites and environments. The mine has had a strong influence on the technical, social and political developments in Sweden and Europe” explains Sara Hedström at Falun Municipality.

Read more about the World Heritage Site Falun (visitdalarna.se)

“Dalarna is like Sweden in miniature, in terms of both nature and culture. Here are traces of human activities in the landscape dating back over 10 000 years and many vivid cultural environments. The former mining areas, smelting houses and hammer mills have formed the basis for today’s modern steelworks, fabrication plants and workshops which speak of the culture of our times,” says Fredrik Sandberg, former county antiquarian at County Administrative Board Dalarna.

View over the World Heritage site of Falun, one of just over 1000 places in the world that Unesco considers it essential to preserve for all time. During the 17th century, no less than two-thirds of the world’s copper ore was mined in Falun and the mine was Sweden’s largest and most modern workplace. Photo: Mostphotos.

For more information, please contact:

Catarina Karlsson, archaeologist and coordinator of Jernkontoret’s mining and metallurgical research, catarina.karlsson@jernkontoret.se, phone: +46 8 679 17 53

Sara Hedström, Falun Municipality and World Heritage Site of Falun, sara.m.hedstrom@falun.se

Ulf Lindberg, county antiquarian, County Administrative Board Dalarna, ulf.p.lindberg@lansstyrelsen.se 

Anna Lögdqvist, Dalarna Museum, anna.logdqvist@dalarnasmuseum.se

Anna Björkman, Falu Mine, anna.bjorkman@falugruva.se