Industrial Archaeology Research Articles

Analytical Techniques Applied to the Study of Industrial Archaeology Heritage: The Case of Plaiko Zubixe Footbridge.

In this work, micro-Raman spectroscopy and micro-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (µ-EDXRF) were applied on microsamples taken from the Plaiko Zubixe footbridge (1927) located in Ondarroa (Basque Country, Spain) in order to investigate the original paint coating and make an evaluation of the conservation state before its restoration. Elemental and molecular images were acquired for the study of the compounds distribution. Some modern pigments such as phthalocyanine blue and green pigments, minium, calcium carbonate, Prussian blue, and hematite were identified. Barium sulfate and titanium dioxide were recognized as opacifier agents. Thanks to the study of the stratigraphies, it has been possible to determine the original paint layer, which includes lead white, ultramarine blue, carbon black, and barium sulfate. In addition, colorimetric analyses made it possible to know the CIELab values of the original layer in order to reproduce the original colour during the planned restoration work. The massive presence of chlorine detected by µ-EDXRF and the corrosion products of the rust layer, in particular akaganeite and hematite, highlighted the atmospheric impact in the conservation of the bridge because they were due to the effect of both marine aerosol and to the presence of acidic components in the environment coming from anthropogenic activity. This work demonstrated the usefulness of a scientific approach for the study of industrial archaeology heritage with the aim to contribute to its conservation and restoration.

The Archaeology of Craft and Industry

The Archaeology of Craft and Industry

HBIM between Antiquity and Industrial Archaeology: Former Segrè Papermill and Sanctuary of Hercules in Tivoli

Industrial heritage with secular production activity constitutes a specific field of application to refine digital tools for knowledge within the HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modeling) process. Industrial sites are traditionally linked to the exploitation of local resources, and, not infrequently, are settled by recovering the ruins of ancient buildings and monuments. The Sanctuary of Hercules in Tivoli represents a significant case study that moves between classical and industrial archaeology, in particular the “Cartierà Segrè”, hereinafter referred to as former Segrè papermill, to test ArchaeoBIM concepts and to investigate current and lost heritage. Starting from the documents and the digital survey with the use of UAV videogrammetry, the aim is the construction of the informative model with particular attention to the 4D management to describe the evolution phases and the exploration of the construction specificities of buildings and machines between pre-modern techniques and industrial age. The results show the possibility of creating a diachronic HBIM to investigate a complex industrial heritage, its evolution and production phases, modeling components for this type of architecture, with the deepening of the LOD of BIM (Building Information Modeling) instances applied to machines. The application represents an augmented knowledge process applicable on industrial heritage through modeling instances of machines and industrial processes that would allow regional and transnational cross-sectional studies and the enhancement of fruition and reuse of these sites.

An Approach to the Study of a 19th-Century Sugarcane Mill and Steam Engine through CAD Techniques and Mechanical Engineering

This article shows an approach to the three-dimensional modelling of a sugarcane mill and its associated steam engine, designed by the Robey and Co. engineering company in 1869. In order to obtain the 3D CAD model of said invention, CATIA V5 R20 software has been employed. Various sources of starting material, from the basis of this research and found in the process of searching for relevant information, provide information on the main elements, operating conditions, and mechanism of the machine. Thanks to the three-dimensional geometric modelling carried out, it has been possible to explain, in detail, both its operation and the final assembly of the invention through the assemblies of its different subsets, thereby obtaining a virtual recreation that shows its operation. Likewise, a study has been carried out, from a mechanical engineering viewpoint, of the gear train that transmitted the movement, in order to ascertain the compression force exerted on the sugar cane. This research, related to industrial archaeology, therefore, enables the reader to understand a machine that constituted a milestone in the sugarcane industry, while paying tribute to the English engineer, Robert Robey.

Mapping Historical Archaeology and Industrial Heritage: The Historical Spatial Data Infrastructure

While a vibrant and growing research literature exists on the value of GIS to archaeology in general, the application of geospatial digital data to the subfield of historical archaeology is less well developed, especially in North America. This is particularly true for the era of industrialization, where the archaeological record is accompanied by a comparatively rich historical record. Historical and industrial archaeology are fundamentally bound up in the interplay between material and historical data, and it is in enhancing the dialogue between these two evidentiary bodies that interdisciplinary geospatial approaches are most fruitful to these subdisciplines. Drawing on recent discussions in digital archaeology and Historical GIS (HGIS), which has a robust history in the social sciences and humanities, we present an approach to modelling, visualizing, and analyzing longitudinal physical and social environment data for historical and industrial archaeology: a Historical Spatial Data Infrastructure (HSDI). Our HSDI, which is data-rich and highly flexible in scale, is especially well-adapted to facilitating this dialogue within archaeological research, as well as having important applications to heritage management and public engagement, as demonstrated in our case study.

Hybrid Energy Piles as a Smart and Sustainable Foundation

The disused factories’ areas represent a considerable part of the industrial archaeology of the city of Naples. In the last decades of the previous century, many of these factories were disused also because of the ban of asbestos production by the Italian law 257/1992. Of course, this was not the only problem that concurred to create a large amount of disused industrial areas. Often the simple delocalisation of manufactories in other countries contributed to this problem. The reuse of these areas requires polluted and contaminated land reclamation. The simple removal of the shallow soil layers is a widely used reclamation procedure. Furthermore, drilling operations either for piling or for tunnelling may incur in the same type of problem taking into account that this movement can be very expensive depending on the total volume of soil to be removed and to be taken to disposal. In this study a hybrid pile type is proposed as an environmentally friendly and a cheap solution. Hybrid piles are installed by a combination of pushing and augering technique. This installation method allows avoiding the removal and the subsequent disposal of shallow contaminated soil. The mechanical behaviour of three hybrid piles equipped with strain gauges along the shaft is investigated via three loading tests. In the framework of the design of a new mall in a disused industrial area, the opportunity to provide a fully sustainable foundation solution by equipping the piles with heat exchangers pipes is also investigated. Numerical simulations of the energy hybrid pile behaviour are presented outlining further benefits of the new hybrid installation technique and comparing two different configuration of the heat exchanger pipes. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2021-02-03-010 Full Text: PDF

Iron alloys and structural steels from XIX century until today: Evolution of mechanical properties and proposal of a rapid identification method

Mechanical properties of materials, as provided by current design standards, are the pre-requisites for the proper identification and structural assessment of existing buildings and civil engineering works. For mechanical characterisation, in case of “Limited Knowledge” (KL1) without direct information on the material properties, the usual features according to the standards at the construction time are considered. This is the case, for example, of structural metalworks characterised by historical and artistic interest (bridges, roof galleries, covered markets, railway stations, etc.) or industrial archaeology buildings where, because of the constraints imposed by the National Authorities of Cultural Heritage Preservation, extensive or exhaustive in-situ tests cannot be performed. This paper focuses chronologically, from the XIX century until today, on the evolution process of ferrous alloys, namely cast iron, wrought iron and steel, for structural applications. After a description and classification of the aforementioned materials and their production processes, the main mechanical properties and design stresses for bending and compression elements are briefly analysed and collected in a chronological order. Reference is made to the product specifications and design codes, integrated with data from extensive experimental testing. The resulting database can support realistic assumptions about materials and their properties, used over a range time of over 100 years, once the age of building is known. Finally, a methodology for identifying existing metal carpentry structures, which combines the database with fast non-destructive testing methods, is proposed. Such an approach can be effectively used not only for historical steelworks, but also for the mechanical characterization of structural subsystems or elements (e.g. beams, columns, lintels, tie rods) in common existing buildings made of either steel or steel-rc composite structure.

Labour and Technology Migrations in the Iberian Peninsula — The Case of the Spanish Millano Family’s Woollen Mills in Portugal (Late 19th–Early 20th Century)

ABSTRACT This article studies three woollen mills (Torre de Moncorvo, Trás-os-Montes and Vila Nova de Gaia/Porto) built in the north of Portugal from the second half of the 19th to the early 20th centuries, by a family of Spanish migrants, the Millanos. The circumstances of this family’s migration, its impact on the local communities and even the location and description of their mills were barely known at the beginning of this work. Thus, this article sheds new light both on the location of Millanos’ mills in Portugal and on their morphological and technological configurations. Various techniques were combined, including GIS technology, aerial photography analysis, documentary research and archaeological field survey to explore new paths of research in industrial archaeology that let us offer a more global perspective of the mills and their social and historical context.

Making sense of the industrial past: deindustrialisation and industrial heritage in Italy

This article analyses the relationship between deindustrialisation and industrial heritage by considering recent studies on the topic. Although Deindustrialisation Studies and (Industrial) Heritage Studies focus on distinct phases of industrial change — schematically a "before" and an "after" of the history of industry — these fields increasingly converge on the role of the memory of the industrial past in the present. The essay examines these convergences in the Italian context, looking at the history of industrial archaeology and the difficulty of recognising a specifically "Italian deindustrialisation". It argues that history, especially environmental and labour history, can play an important role in this dialogue. In the last part, the article focuses on the industrial area of Porto Marghera (near Venice) and analyses the major cultural events that were organised for its centenary. It argues that this is an example both of "deindustrialisation without industrial heritage" and of "industrial heritage without the memory of deindustrialisation". This makes it difficult to develop a shared elaboration of the area's industrial past and of its future.

Thoughts on the Discipline Attribution of Industrial Archaeology

Industrial archaeology started developing in China in the 1950s. It is a subject of research and protection of industrial heritage, and has become an important discipline in China.By reviewing the rise of the industrial archeology, It is presented that, due to differences between industrial heritage and antiques, the research methods, findings, focuses and the core values of industrial archeology are very different from those of traditional archeology. The author argues that to classify industrial archaeology as a sub-discipline of archaeology remains to be considered. With the developments and improvements of industrial archaeology, its scope as a discipline will gradually become clear. Moreover, interdisciplinary research is helpful for the development and improvement of industrial archaeology.

Elucidation of the history of coastal utilization of the Setouchi islands, Japan by multifaceted analysis and three-dimensional geological modelling

Three of the four main islands in Japan are separated by the Seto Inland Sea in the country's Setouchi region. This area is an important inland sea of Japan and is interesting for researchers in various fields because of its historically active exchange and trade. Associate Professor Keisuke Makibayashi, Research Center for Asian Archaeology of Industry and Culture, Ehime University, Japan, is involved in a project focused on the Miyan'na site, which is a salt-making site from the Kofun period and the Kamakura period on a small island in the Seto Inland Sea in Ehime Prefecture that is seeking to restore the lost landscape. This work involves the use of different research methods such as particle size analysis, soil physics and chemistry analysis, as well as organising a cross-sectional view of the Miyan'na site, performing 3D geological modelling, using scientific data to explain beach ridges and understand historical human activities, and performing excavations. Ultimately, the researchers want to return the landscape to the local community, thereby contributing to the people in the area. The research is also expected to make important contributions to archaeology, history and environmental science.

Hollis Croft, Sheffield, South Yorkshire: Old site and new connections

In 2017, a team from the Wessex Archaeology Sheffield office investigated a site, Hollis Croft (NGR 434990 387580), prior to the construction of a multi-million pound commercial and student housing development. Hollis Croft is one of many Sheffield’s sites where well-preserved industrial archaeology survives beneath the modern buildings. Historic building recording was followed by a watching brief, a scheme of archaeological evaluation trenching and then strip, map and sample excavations, which revealed substantial 18th-/19th-century remains of steel conversion furnaces (both cementation and crucible, constructed by Burgin and Wells and W. Fearnehough Ltd respectively). We also discovered metres of entwined brick-built flues (likely related to later steelmaking methods such as the Siemens-Martin open hearth process or Bessemer process), traces of two pubs (The Cock and The Orange Branch) and a wide range of finds – all indicative of the industrial processes and the everyday lives of the workers. Apart from the discovery of a crozzle layer covering the entire interior of the furnace (not just its base as previously thought), and the detailed impressions of the ferrous bars visible in the surface of the crozzle layer, the remains were very familiar for Sheffield and industrial archaeology. The post-excavation processes were carried out as usual following industry standards. All our findings have been brought together in a final report held in the digital archive and the physical archive (including the finds) was subsequently deposited with Museums Sheffield under SHEFM:2019.13 and Sheffield Archives. This publication is based on that final report, but edited and updated, so there are some minor differences between the documents. But, inspired by a great deal of public interest during the excavations (and Mili's love for comics), a comic book has also been created and is published here alongside what would otherwise be a more traditional offering.

Emergency-Proof Tourism: The Heritage of Industrial Archaeology in Internal Areas as a Potential for a Sustainable Tourism

Instead of narrowly protecting the heritage, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention promotes a holistic development approach to respond to new societal challenges [...]

Heavy Metals in Archaeological Soils

AbstractPortable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectroscopy is commonly used for testing toxic levels of heavy metals in modern industrial waste sites, and it has seen growing applicability in the context of archaeological survey and soils. In this study, we present the results of our pXRF analysis of surface soils at a historic silver refinery located near Puno, Peru, in the western Lake Titicaca Basin. The results of our analysis identified hazardous levels of antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in excavation soils, necessitating the relocation of planned excavation units and the use of personal protective equipment. This study highlights the advantages of rapid, in situ pXRF analysis of surface soils in contaminated industrial archaeology sites to assess potential harm to human health.

SUITMAs as an archive of the human past: educational implications

PurposeThe relics of the industry are widely used for educational and touristic purposes. There are many examples of brownfield sites turned into tourist attractions. Interest in post-industrial areas concerns not only an infrastructure and ruins but also the soil cover. Soils in such areas should be also considered as important element of this type of landscape due to the artefacts’ stored. This article aim is to present educational potential of post-industrial soils and artefacts to be found there on the example of the area of “Polchem”.Methods and materialsThis publication is based on the analysis of soils’ artefacts in the non-reclaimed area of former chemical plant. Photographic material and literature studies focus on technogenic soils and its functions. The history of “Polchem”, industrial tourism and industrial archaeology as well as verbal communication of people associated with the company were important components of this publication.Results and discussionSoils play many ecological functions, one of them is archiving human history. In this approach, archaeology is combined with soil science serving as a tool in archaeological research. Such cooperation within two scientific fields leads often to valuable scientific achievements. Relatively young post-industrial areas are generally out of interest of archaeology. However, they can form the basis of soil education activities targeted at a larger number of recipients.ConclusionsSoils within cities are interesting due to recorded marks of human activity. Artefacts in soils can be used in various ways. One of them is an educational purpose. “Polchem” area is out of use now so it can be accessed by visitors (students and teachers). Artefact’s diversity allows for quick finding and recognition of industrial history of the former plant. In this way, it could be present an important soil function—protecting cultural heritage.

Los vestigios industriales: estudio, conservación y uso

Conservation of industrial heritage as a cultural item has allowed the consolidation of a new discipline called Industrial Archaeology, focused on the study, catalogation and conservation of material remains linked to the process of industrialization which emerged from English revolution in late 18th century. The article analyzes the principles on which Community cultural policy is based, as well as the means of finance offered by European institutions to help projects of cultural heritage conservation. Finally, it describes the proceedings which are being carried out in Asturias regarding conservation and studies of industrial heritage.

The History of Entrepreneurship Backward: An Exploratory Approach from Industrial Archaeology

<p><strong>Objetivo:</strong> determinar bajo qué mecanismos se pueden emplear los artefactos (productos / servicios) para construir la historia incrustada dentro de un proyecto emprendedor (sus procesos), arrojando un novedoso, nuevo análisis en profundidad y multidimensional del emprendimiento.</p><p><strong>Diseño metodológico</strong>: enfoque desde la Arqueología Industrial (ai), que consta de dos etapas: el artefacto se deconstruye en su contexto material y de uso, y luego en aquel organizacional, en conjunto con técnicas históricas y cualitativas (triangulación e interpretación hermenéutica).</p><p><strong>Resultados</strong>: se realiza una propuesta conceptual desde la ai para analizar y comprender los procesos emprendedores.</p><p><strong>Limitaciones de la investigación</strong>: como cualquier propuesta conceptual se simplifica a propósito, lo que puede ser una desventaja.</p><p><strong>Hallazgos:</strong> se sugiere desde la ai analizar la historia del emprendimiento, ya que el artefacto puede brindar información específica y valiosa sobre los procesos bajo los cuales fue conceptualizado, diseñado, producido, vendido, adaptado u obsoleto, y el impacto que tuvo este en la empresa.</p>

A Study of Industrial Archaeology in Korea

그동안 근·현대를 대상으로 한 고고학 연구는 유해발굴과 일제강점기에 대한 연구 정도로 국한되었다. 그러나근·현대 산업화 과정에 대한 연구 역시 고고학에서 다루어야 할 분야이다. 이를 위해 근·현대 산업화와 관련된 고고학 용어부터 정립할 필요가 있다. 필자는 여기에 적합한 용어가 ‘산업고고학’이라 판단한다. 산업고고학은 고고학의 하위 분야이지만 그간 국내 고고학계에서 인지하지 못하여 왔고, 오히려 다른 학문에서 간혹 인용되어 왔다. 이제는 고고학계에서도 산업고고학에 대해 이해와 학문적 체계화가 필요한 시점이라 판단한다. 산업고고학의 개념은 산업화 과정에서 발생한 유·무형의 유산을 기록·조사·해석·활용·보전·계승하기 위한학문 분야로 정의한다. 연구 대상은 공간적으로 한반도가 중심이지만, 한반도의 산업고고학을 이해하기 위하여 주변국가 및 협약 등으로 관련된 국가를 포함한다. 시간적으로는 조선시대 후기부터 대한제국을 거쳐 현재의 대한민국에 이르기까지를 산업고고학의 시기로 이해할 수 있다산업고고학의 실질적인 연구는 활용 방안, 발굴, 제도 등과 식민주의, 제국주의, 무형의 문화유산 등을 토대로 산업화 과정을 연구한다. 조사 및 연구, 그리고 활용에 있어서 학제간 연구가 중요하다. 또한, 대중의 호응 및 정부기관과 기업의 역할 역시 중요하다. 무엇보다 산업고고학을 통해 산업유산을 대중과 공유하는 것이 중요하다. 즉, 산업고고학은학제간 연구와 정부기관 등이 함께 노력하여 대중의 호응에 부응하는 학문으로 이해할 수 있다.

Identifying metallurgical practices at a colonial silver refinery in Puno, Peru, using portable X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF)

This study presents the results of in situ portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analyses of surface soils at the site of Trapiche Itapalluni, a Spanish colonial silver refinery located 15 km southwest of Puno, Peru in the western Lake Titicaca Basin (4000 masl). Although the benefits of pXRF analysis are well known, such as its wide availability and rapid, non-destructive nature, there has been little applicability of this technique at colonial metallurgical sites in the high-altitude Andes. The results of our analysis confirmed the introduction of the patio process technique of silver refining from Mexico to the Puno Bay, and further clarified areas of intense metallurgical production, including local Andean adaptations. This study highlights the advantages of in situ pXRF analysis of surface soils at industrial archaeology sites, especially in marginal and high-altitude environments such as the southern Andes.

Industrial Archaeology Applied to the Study of an Ancient Harvesting Machine: Three-Dimensional Modelling and Virtual Reconstruction

This article shows the three-dimensional (3D) modelling and virtual reconstruction of an ancient harvesting machine developed at the beginning of the 19th century. SolidWorks software is employed to obtain the 3D model of this historical invention and its geometric documentation. The original material for the research is available on a farm located in the province of Cádiz (Spain). Thanks to the three-dimensional modelling performed, both its operation and the final assembly of this invention can be explained in detail in a coherent way. Having carried out the functional analysis, it can be verified that the machine combines well-performed chain-sprocket transmissions, which, together with complex gearboxes with parallel and bevel gears, make this reaper a very reliable machine. Furthermore, the inclusion of elements such as gimbal joints on shafts with possible misalignments, and clutches to adapt the operation of the machine to the needs of the operator, makes it highly versatile and functional without over-exerting the mechanics. From a technical point of view, the complex transmission systems, the perfect synchronization achieved between all its parts, and the combination of continuous oscillatory movements, such as that of sheaf compactors with intermittent movements as complex as that of the knotting system, are all worthy of note, and reveal the great work of engineering involved in this historical invention.