An exceptionally well-preserved iron-smelting facility, operational for an estimated eight centuries from the 4th century BCE to the 4th century CE, has been brought to light through excavations at the archaeological locale of Didé West 1 in eastern Senegal.
A collection of tuyères discovered at the Didé West 1 site, situated in Senegal. Image courtesy of Anne Mayor.
In contrast to the generally accepted timeline for Europe’s Iron Age, spanning roughly from 800 BCE to the close of the first century CE, chronological markers for this technological era exhibit considerable disparity across global regions.
The earliest indications of iron manufacturing are theorized to originate in Anatolia (present-day Turkey) and the Caucasus, dating back to the second millennium BCE.
“The iron-smelting workshop unearthed at the Didé West 1 site in Senegal provides novel insights into the advent of iron metallurgy within West Africa,” stated UNIGE archaeologist Mélissa Morel and her research associates.
The facility comprises a substantial accumulation of approximately 100 tons of slag, a semi-circular configuration of roughly 30 discarded tuyères—tubes fashioned from clay for directing air into the furnace—and 35 circular furnace bases, each approximately 30 cm in depth.
It is surmised that this iron and steel production was conducted on a modest scale, primarily to satisfy local demands, especially for the creation of agricultural implements.
“Given its remarkable state of preservation, its antiquity, the extensive duration of its use, and its distinctive technological characteristics, this site stands out as singularly significant,” remarked Dr. Morel.
“It presents a rare avenue for investigating the persistence and evolution of an iron smelting methodology across an extended historical span.”
“At the Didé West 1 location, the arrangement of spaces, the design of the furnaces, and the related refuse offer clear evidence of the tradition designated as FAL02.”
“This tradition is distinguished by diminutive circular furnaces that were crowned with a detachable chimney, in addition to substantial clay tuyères.”
“A notable characteristic is the peculiar design of these tuyères, which feature not a single aperture for air passage but rather a series of minor openings linked to the main conduit via perpendicular side channels. This innovative configuration facilitates the uniform distribution of air to the lower portions of the furnace.”
“Another defining attribute is the incorporation of palm nut seeds as a cushioning substance at the furnace’s base—a practice previously undocumented in this context.”
“Despite the considerable timeframe over which this workshop was active, this tradition exhibited remarkable consistency, with only minor technical modifications being implemented,” observed Dr. Anne Mayor, an archaeologist affiliated with UNIGE and the Global Studies Institute.
“This continuity, in stark contrast to other metallurgical contexts found elsewhere in Africa, underscores the critical importance of comprehending the technical and cultural decisions made by early metalworkers in the production of iron.”
The team’s comprehensive dissertation has been published in the esteemed journal, African Archaeological Review.
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M. Morel et al. Evolution of an Early and Long-Lasting Iron Smelting Technique at Didé West 1, Falémé Valley, Eastern Senegal. Afr Archaeol Rev, disseminated online on March 25, 2026; doi: 10.1007/s10437-026-09653-z
