Centuries smelt away as visitors get glimpse of early metal manufacture

Hundreds of years ago, pioneering Britons built early furnaces for smelting iron and researchers decided to try and see if the methods used by our ancestors would still work today.

They built what is known as a bloomery furnace in Weston Park, close to the university's main campus, and invited passers by to witness the process which helped to build the city's prosperity.

Bellows were used to intensify the heat from a charcoal fire beneath the furnace.

A university spokesman said: "It is at least five centuries since a bloomery furnace like this would have operated in Sheffield. Technological innovations like this changed our lives."

The furnace demonstration was part of a programme of events in Sheffield University's Curious festival, which is being run by the faculty of arts and humanities for the next week.

The festival is designed to showcase the work of the faculty and allow the public a look behind the scenes at what goes on in the institution apart from teaching undergraduates.

A miniature mine was also built to allow visitors to experience what life was like for Iron Age miners.

Valerie Cotter, co-organiser of the events and director of faculty operations for arts and humanities, said: "We have a vast amount of interesting and varied research taking place in the faculty.

"This series of events is a great opportunity to share this work with the general public and spark their curiosity for new things."

For a full list of events in the festival, which continues until April 25, visit the website at www.shef.ac.uk/curious