Abstract
This study deals with the issue of the exploitation of calcareous and phosphorus iron ore in ancient iron metallurgy before the coming of the blast furnace. An archaeological and archeometrical research shows how oolitic sedimentary iron ore of central Lorraine (called «minette») has been used, since Antiquity, in preference to a siderolitic one even if the latter is richer in iron. The chemical analyses of 290 slags and iron ores identify what sort of ore was used in each reduction site. Archaeological remains of three excavated reduction sites, completed by chemical and metallographic analyses of slags, were investigated to understand how oolitic iron ore in direct reduction process was used : reducibility and fusibility of ore, working of the furnaces, production of iron. Some archaeological data in urban and rural settlements introduce the discussion about post-reduction operations.
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