Archival investigations, surface surveys and archaeological excavations at the partly preserved site, which covers a total area of 9,395 m2 (101,130 sq ft),[2] began in the summer of 2003.

[1] The units of the main foundry complex, which was built in a square-plan on a hillside, are situated on two ground levels of 10 m (33 ft) difference in elevation.

[6] The main gate in the north opened to the courtyard at this upper terrace, which contains living and service spaces, a partly-preserved Ottoman hammam and a mosque.

In the southwest of the courtyard, the basement walls of the foundry mosque is situated with a brick minaret erected on stone base next to it.

[6] In order to achieve high temperature needed in the melting furnaces, bellows were utilized, which were worked up by a water wheel.

The canal reaches the iron-made water wheel in the lower ground level after entering the facility under the eastern fortification wall in a brick vault-like tunnel, and running southwards under the courtyard.

[1][6] Archaeologists discovered around the foundry the existence of a historic underground mine adit and metallurgy pits beside ruins of melting furnaces, slag heap deposits and charcoal piles.

[6] Unearthed archaeological artifacts include molds for round shot, cannonballs of various size, nails of various length, iron powder, ashes, furnace blowpipes, samples of domestic and imported fire bricks, parts of agricultural equipment, porcelain kitchenware and household tools manufactured in later years.