A series of archaeological experiments took place during August 1984 at the experimental bloomery site at The Pheasantry on Ashdown Forest. Smelting of arsenical copper ore, brought from South America, produced a copper alloy in imitation of metallurgical processes of the pre-Inca period in northern Peru. The American archaeologist Professor Heather Lechtman chose the site for her experiments because of its physical suitability and, more importantly, for the expertise of Roger Adams who worked with her throughout. The smelting was entirely successful.
