From Clay to Steel: UofL Hosts Hands-On Bloomery Smelting Workshop and Lecture

Students at the University of Louisville will have a rare opportunity to step back in time—and get their hands dirty—during an upcoming Bloomery Smelting Workshop led by Dr. Andrew Welton, Experimental Archaeologist and Specialist in Early Medieval Metallurgy. 

Taking place April 13–15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Red Barn, this immersive, three-day experience invites participants to explore the ancient craft of transforming earth into metal. Guided by Dr. Welton, students will build a clay furnace from scratch and use traditional bloomery smelting techniques practiced across Ancient and Medieval Europe, Africa and Colonial America. 

By the final day, participants will take their learning even further—using the bloom (raw iron) they’ve created to try their hand at forging. 

Dr. Welton has a Ph.D. in History, with an emphasis on the archaeology of medieval weapons, gender and burial practices, and the history of medieval blacksmiths and iron recycling. They currently are a blacksmith studio artist and have taught this type of interactive bloomery smelting workshop on several other U.S. campuses. They have significant safety training and have been a safety educator in a blacksmith space for several years.  

A Hands-On Learning Experience Across Disciplines 

This workshop is more than a demonstration—it’s an interdisciplinary learning experience connecting history, archaeology, chemistry, art and engineering. Students interested in programs within the Department of History, Interdisciplinary and Public Humanities, and Anthropology will find direct connections to coursework and research, while those in the Sculpture Program can explore the artistic and material dimensions of metalwork. 

Whether you’re pursuing the humanities, sciences or fine arts, the workshop highlights how ancient technologies continue to shape modern knowledge. 

Open to Participants, Volunteers and Spectators 

• Participants and volunteers can actively engage in building the furnace and smelting process (registration and safety forms required). 
• Spectators are welcome to stop by anytime to observe the process from designated viewing areas.  

This makes the event accessible to anyone curious about experimental archaeology. 

Public Lecture: Medieval Swords Through Experimental Archaeology 

Dr. Welton will also deliver a public lecture on Monday, April 13 at 6 p.m. in Gottschalk Hall 303 titled: “The swordsmith's promise, the warrior's fear: New perspectives on early medieval pattern-welded swords from experimental archaeology.” 

The talk will explore how recreating historical techniques can reveal new insights into the craftsmanship, symbolism and function of early medieval weapons. 

A Collaborative Campus Effort 

This unique event is co-sponsored by: 

• The Liberal Studies Visiting Scholars Project 
• Phi Alpha Theta 
• Eta Sigma Phi 
• Department of History 
• Interdisciplinary and Public Humanities 
• The Archaeological Institute of America (Kentucky Chapter) 
• With support from Anthropology and the Sculpture Program  

Why It Matters 

For prospective students, events like this showcase the kind of hands-on, research-driven experiences available at UofL. It’s not just about learning history—you can actively recreate it, test it and bring it to life. 

For current students, it’s a chance to collaborate across disciplines, build practical skills and engage directly with a visiting scholar whose work bridges academic research and real-world application. 

Click here for more information.