Mbinga is one of many areas in Tanzania with deep-rooted evidence of archaeology. Archaeometallurgically, the area has remained terra incognita. This paper focuses on Mbinga’s technological change and continuity of iron production techniques in the first and second millennium AD. To achieve this, archaeological data were collected through ethno-history, archaeological survey, excavation, and physical attribute methods, while archaeometric data were generated through optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and metallographic techniques. The results indicate that over the last 1500 years, there has been technological change in iron smelting techniques in terms of furnace charging platform, slag-pit provision, slag tapping, use of multiple tuyères per tuyère port, reduction efficiency, utilized iron ore, and final smelting product. While change took place, there has been technological continuity in the furnace construction materials, forced air supply, and spatial organization of iron smelting activities. The change and continuity in the technology of iron production in Mbinga were probably driven by demand for iron tools for socio-economic purposes, environment, technological efficiency, and the demand for production of carbon-rich steel tools.

中文翻译：

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金属技术的变化和连续性：坦桑尼亚西南部姆宾加的第一个和第二个CE时代的钢铁生产

姆宾加（Mbinga）是坦桑尼亚拥有考古学根深蒂固的众多地区之一。从考古学角度看，该地区一直是未知地区。本文着重介绍姆宾加的技术变革和公元前一千年和二千年的钢铁生产技术的连续性。为此，通过民族历史，考古调查，发掘和物理属性方法收集了考古数据，而光学数据，电子显微镜和金相技术则产生了考古数据。结果表明，在过去的1500年中，炼铁技术在炉膛装料平台，炉渣供给，出渣，每个风口口使用多个风口，还原效率，利用的铁矿石以及最终的冶炼产品。虽然发生了变化，但熔炉建筑材料，强制空气供应，和空间组织的炼铁活动。姆宾加州钢铁生产技术的变化和连续性，可能是出于对出于社会经济目的的铁工具需求，环境，技术效率以及对富碳钢工具生产需求的驱动。