Vindolanda iron ingot, with legionary marks?

[richsc]

Best guess interpretation of the marks on these Vindolanda finds are that they are legionary marks. But nice to find such raw material in a military context. 

http://www.vindolanda.com/_blog/excavation

[Crispianus]

Best guess interpretation of the marks on these Vindolanda finds are that they are legionary marks. But nice to find such raw material in a military context. 

http://www.vindolanda.com/_blog/excavation

"the inscription may have been etched onto the artefact whilst the ingot was still slightly molten"


Bit odd, the "molten" comment makes me think that this is thought to be cast, rather then forged from a bloom..

[richsc]

It compares in surface to a sand cast, but could be just hammered from a very hot mass?

[Crispianus]

It compares in surface to a sand cast, but could be just hammered from a very hot mass?

I would say most likely hammered from a hot mass....
As far as I'm aware iron was not cast as such in the roman period though it could be produced by accidentally over heating a bloomery furnace.....  I dont know how big it is but the shape makes me think hammer head, the curved point the striking surface, the flattish end perhaps is broken.... but untill its been analysed I'd hold of making any assumption ...

The engaving could have been done with a set hammer or chisel when hot...