| Summary: | This thesis examines the concept of phosphoric iron as a distinct type of iron. A key assumption in current archaeometallurgy is that the prehistoric blacksmiths deliberately produced and used phosphoric iron. If, how and in what quantities a blacksmith can perceive the properties of phosphoric iron through the human senses is nevertheless taken into consideration. By applying a craft perspective based on perception, this thesis examines the presence and quantities of phosphoric iron in prehistoric artifacts and compares it to other ferrous alloys. The results show that no indications of deliberate use of phosphoric iron can be seen in the examined objects. The phosphorus contents encountered in the object are low compared to international results, and the differences in properties have probably been perceived as a difference of degree and not kind, if noticed at all. Few objects have been chemically analyzed, however, and more analytical research must be conducted to discuss the concept of phosphoric iron.
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