- Archaeological News
-
Image Credit: Camille Ollier
Prehistoric Ironworking Workshop in Senegal Sheds Light on Early Metallurgy
Archaeologists working in eastern Senegal have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved iron-smelting workshop that is offering important new evidence for the study of early metallurgy in West Africa.
The site, known as Didé West 1, lies near the Falémé River valley and was used from the 4th century BC to the 4th century AD. According to the research team, this long period of use is particularly notable, as such metallurgical sites are often active for only a limited number of generations.
The excavation revealed a substantial production area, including a large slag heap estimated at around one hundred tons, about thirty used clay tuyères for directing air into furnaces, and thirty-five circular furnace bases. These remains indicate small-scale iron and steel production, likely intended to meet local needs, especially the manufacture of agricultural tools.
Researchers noted that the workshop’s state of preservation, early date, long use-life, and distinctive technical features make it an exceptional discovery. Among the most significant findings is a tuyère design with multiple small air outlets connected through side ducts, allowing air to be distributed at the bottom of the furnace. The team also identified the use of palm nut seeds as packing material at the furnace base, a practice not previously documented in this context.
The evidence suggests that the workshop belonged to a long-lasting smelting tradition in the Falémé Valley, characterised by small circular furnaces fitted with removable chimneys and large clay tuyères. Despite centuries of activity, this technological tradition appears to have remained remarkably stable, with only limited technical modifications over time.
The discovery contributes to the broader debate over the emergence of iron metallurgy in sub-Saharan Africa, where the origins of the technology remain uncertain despite decades of research. The team is continuing its work at other sites in Senegal in order to compare metallurgical traditions and better understand how ironworking practices developed and spread across the region.
Published on: 01-04-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: University of Geneva