This study demonstrates that osmium isotope ratios remain consistent throughout the iron production process, from ore to bloom to finished product. This consistency, combined with variations in osmium isotope ratios and concentrations between different ore sources, allows for the provenancing of ancient iron artifacts. Additionally, osmium enrichment/depletion in different byproducts like slag offers further insights into ancient bloomery processes.

One of the authors, Mr. Lee Sauder, is employed by Germinal Ironworks, a company involved in iron production. However, the study declares that Germinal Ironworks had no role in the research design, data collection, or interpretation, minimizing potential bias.

This study presents a novel and promising method for provenancing ancient iron using osmium isotope analysis. The systematic approach, involving experimental smelting and analysis of ores, blooms, bars, and slag, provides strong evidence for the preservation of osmium isotopic ratios throughout the iron production process. While limitations exist regarding the current dataset size and the potential for slag contamination, the findings represent a significant advancement in the field of archaeometallurgy. The clear identification and acknowledgment of limitations, along with future research directions, further strengthens the study's contribution.