This isn’t exactly biology-related, but we had to write papers for an archaeology course this week: The archaeological site that I have selected is the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site located in Saugus, Massachusetts. Founded by John Winthrop the Younger, it was supposedly in operation between 1646 and approximately 1668. The site was renamed Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site and became part of the National Park System in 1968 due to its significance to the early history of the United States. The site is nationally significant because it is the birthplace of the iron and steel industry in Colonial America, starting and sustaining skilled iron making technology in the New World. The Saugus Iron Works initiated the distribution of workers to other parts of Colonial America where they were able to establish other iron producing facilities. This was critical to the development of industry and technology in the emerging American country. In the early 17th century, iron was used to create indispensable goods such as nails, horseshoes, cookware, tools, and weapons. However the production and manufacturing of iron could only be completed by an industrial enterprise which was not available in North America during the early years of English colonization. Hence all iron goods had to be imported which was very expensive. Winthrop believed that because the colonies had a cheap and abundant supply of materials, an iron works in Massachusetts could be made to produce goods for the Colonies as well as in England itself. Eventually the Braintree Iron Works in Braintree Massachusetts was created to be the first iron works, but proved to be unsuccessful due to a lack of iron ore in the area and an inadequate supply of water to power the machinery. A new manager arose, Richard Leader, who selected a location on the Saugus River to build the next iron works called Hammersmith, which proved to be successful and one of the most technically advanced iron works in the New World.
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