Viability As Agriculture Sanctuary

The proposed feasibility study would have to address the fundamental question of whether an ISSHS is limited to a hunter/gathering existence, or is the ISSHS viable as a self-sustaining principally agriculture sanctuary with the capability of using essential primitive technologies.

The following introduction to the use of clay, fiber, and ore by primitive societies is provided to begin addressing that question. This topic temporarily departing from abstract or philosophical musings, brings the discussion down to earth, in this first instance the use of clay.

Clay. Clay was historically used for pottery (e.g., for storage containers), building materials such as bricks and tiles, figurines and decorative objects, molds for metal casting, writing surfaces (clay tablets). The discovery of glazes and different firing techniques would have expanded the possibilities of clay work. The use of kilns and potter's wheel revolutionized pottery production.

Clay is generally quite common and accessible to primitive societies. Clay is widely distributed across the Earth's surface and is found on every continent and in various geological settings. Clay forms from the weathering of rocks, particularly those rich in feldspar. It accumulates in many environments, including riverbeds, lake beds, and coastal areas. Extracting and using clay requires minimal technology, making it accessible even to very early societies.

Many clay deposits are found at or near the surface, are often exposed along rivers and streams, and weathering can expose clay deposits on slopes. Clay is relatively easy to recognize due to its distinctive texture when wet. Its plasticity (ability to be molded) makes it stand out from other soil types. Its use would have developed alongside the use of other materials like stone, wood, and plant fibers. Overall, clay was and continues to be one of the most accessible and useful natural materials available to human societies.

The earliest use of kilns for making clay objects dates back to 6500-6000 BCE. The use of kilns represented a significant technological advancement over open-fire pottery production. Kilns allowed for higher firing temperatures, resulting in stronger, more durable pottery. Primitive societies constructed kilns using locally available materials and relatively simple techniques.

A kiln construction process comprised choosing a level area, often on a slight slope for drainage; digging a shallow foundation or use stones to create a stable base; building up walls using clay mixed with sand and straw and perhaps using the coil method or packing clay around a temporary wooden frame; constructing a dome or roof using the same materials as the walls; constructing reinforced openings and flues; and allowing the structure to dry slowly to prevent cracking. Stone would have been used for foundations, to reinforce structures, and sometimes to line the kiln for better heat retention. The use of straw or grass mixed with clay would add strength and reduce shrinkage. Wood would be used for temporary supports during construction, and sometimes incorporated into the structure for stability.

Image from Oxford Archaeology: "Update 7: Excavating A Roman Kiln".

In a primitive community, uses of a kiln include: firing clay vessels for cooking, storage, and carrying water; creating ceremonial or decorative pottery items; producing bricks for construction of more durable buildings; hardening clay tools, spindle whorls for textile production, or weights; simple metal smelting, though this would be less common and would develop later than pottery firing; burning limestone to produce lime for use in building materials or as a soil amendment; drying fruits, grains, or herbs for long-term storage; using controlled heat to harden wooden tools; producing roof tiles or decorative elements for buildings; making pipes for simple plumbing systems; and creating weights used in weaving; producing flat surfaces for cooking.

Fiber. Primitive societies used a variety of natural materials to make fibers for ropes and fabrics. The specific materials and methods varied depending on geographical location and available resources. Plant fibers such as flax (one of the earliest cultivated fiber plants), cotton, hemp, nettle tree bast fibers, grasses and reeds were used. Animal fibers such as wool from sheep, goat, camel, and other animal hair was also used. Silk was produced from silkworm cocoons.

Tools used included spindles and whorls for spinning, combs and cards for preparing fibers, and simple looms for weaving. Early humans likely used simple twisted plant fibers, cultivation of fiber developed with agriculture, and techniques became more sophisticated over time, leading to finer fabrics.

The production of fibers and textiles was often a time-consuming process that involved multiple steps. It was typically a community effort, with different individuals specializing in various parts of the process. The development of textile production was a significant technological advancement for primitive societies, providing better clothing, and tools.

Image is an example of a vertical frame loom. Grayson Osborne: "A Brief History Of Weaving" 2023-01-28.

Ore. In the most technologically primitive conditions, small-scale steel production typically involved a process called bloomery smelting. This method was used for thousands of years before the development of more advanced techniques. The earliest intentional production of steel is believed to have occurred around 1800 BCE to 1200 BCE and widespread by 500 BCE-500 CE. The production of steel was historically preceded by the production of copper (9000 BCE), gold (6000 BCE), tin (3000 BCE), bronze (alloy of copper and tin, 3300-1200 BCE), and iron (2000 BCE). Axes were initially made of bronze, followed by iron and finally steel. The transition to iron use depended not just on the presence of ore, but also on the development of the knowledge and techniques needed to identify, extract, and process it.

Small-scale steel production comprised the collection of iron ore and the use of wood that would be burned in a low-oxygen environment to create charcoal, which served as both fuel and a source of carbon. A small furnace, usually made of clay or stone, would be built. It would have an opening at the bottom for air intake and slag removal. In the smelting process, the furnace would be filled with alternating layers of iron ore and charcoal; air would be blown into the furnace, often using hand-operated bellows to reach temperatures of around 1200 degrees celsius (2192 Fahrenheit). This would be followed by iron reduction, bloom formation and extraction, and slag removal and consolidation. The resulting iron would absorb some carbon during the process, creating a low-carbon steel. Further carburization could be achieved by heating the iron in contact with charcoal.

Image from Wikipedia: "Bloomery"

The steel making process was labor-intensive and produced relatively small amounts of steel, often just a few kilograms per smelt. The quality could vary significantly based on the skill of the smelter and the quality of the ore. High-grade iron ores are those with a higher percentage of iron content, which makes them easier to process and more efficient for primitive smelting techniques.

Primitive communities collected iron ore through several methods (surface collection, streambed collection, shallow pit mining, gossans, bog iron collection) mostly relying on observation and visual identification, and simple tools. The ability to recognize and collect good quality ore was a valuable skill in these communities. Ore collection was often a communal activity, with many members of the community participating.

Iron ore is relatively common in the Earth's crust and is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and iron ore deposits are found on all continents. Its accessibility to primitive societies varied considerably depending on some iron ores being accessible at or near the surface, making them easier for primitive societies to find and collect. Primitive societies had to learn to recognize iron ore, which often appears as reddish or brownish rocks. The feasibility of an ISSHS producing steel from raw materials, would be dependent on access to a significant sustainable energy source (e.g., wood) since steel production is energy-intensive.

Population. The proposed feasibility study will attempt to ascertain minimal population requirements required for clay, fiber, and ore utilization. One could speculate that a community of about 100 to 500 people could additionally support the planting/harvesting of fibers and the production of ropes, fabrics, and baskets; clay collection, kiln construction, and the manufacture of clay products; small-scale steel production and the making of steel tools.

For example, in a community of about 100 inhabitants: fiber production may require 2-3 crop growers/gatherers, 2-3 fiber processors: 2-3 spinners and weavers; kiln operation and pottery may require 1-2 clay collectors: 1-2 potters, and 1-2 kiln operators; and steel making may require 2-5 miners/or collectors, 2-3 charcoal makers, 1-3 smelters/blacksmiths. These would be assisted by 2-5 apprentices. These inhabitants would be necessarily supported by, for example, 5-10 food producers, 1-2 organizers, 3-5 in related crafts.

The key is that the community would need to be large enough to support some degree of labor specialization while still being able to meet its basic needs for food and other essentials. The exact size could vary based on local conditions and resources.

Early communities that were capable of producing the small quantities of steel, a kiln for clay objects, and fibers for ropes and fabrics include, for example, the Mehrgarh (7000-2500 BCE, Pakistan), Hallstatt culture (800-450 BCE, Central Europe), early Celts (800-100 BCE, across Europe), Han Dynasty China (202 BCE-220 CE), and the Roman Empire (27 BCE-476 CE).

It's important to note that while these societies had all these technologies, they were typically much larger than the minimal community size discussed above. The simultaneous development of all these technologies at a small community level would have been rare and would likely have occurred in later periods when the knowledge was more widespread.

Clearly, the material advantage that the ISSHS possesses is that it should benefit from the accumulated knowledge of all of human history. The ISSHS does not have to invent the use of clay, fiber, and ore, and the above review provides reason to hope that the ISSHS will be able to benefit from their use.