Roman, saxon and medieval metalwork
This bronze item of jewellery was made in the Roman period. The Romans in particular spread the ability to work metal into items of jewellery, household items, tools and weaponry by 2,000 years ago.
In Anglo-Saxon Southampton (called Hamwic) for example, a buzzing metalwork industry grew around this international port. Wood, charcoal and coal were burnt to melt metal alloys into liquids so they could be worked, releasing particles into the atmosphere. ‘Smelting’ these metals also gave off other gases into the air.
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