Meyerdirks, U;
Rehren, T;
Harvey, A;
(2004)
Reconstructing the Early Medieval copper smelting at Ross Island.
In: O'Brien, W, (ed.)
Ross Island. Mining, Metal and Society in Early Ireland.
(pp. 651-664).
National University of Ireland, Galway: Galway, Ireland.
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Reconstructing_the_Early_Medieval_copper.pdf - Published Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff Download (854kB) |
Abstract
The excavation of a smelting furnace in Area 14/15 produced about 4000 fragments, or approximately 12.5kg, of mostly platy slag, and a further 900 grams of technical ceramic, most likely tuyère fragments. The metallurgical activity represented by this debris dates to the seventh or eighth century AD (see Chapter 8). In order to reconstruct the smelting process involved, a detailed archaeometallurgical study was undertaken. According to the results obtained, a rich sulphidic copper ore, probably chalcopyrite, was smelted for pure copper. The possible extraction of either lead, silver, or arsenical copper is discussed, and can be safely excluded. Smelting was done under relatively oxidising conditions, producing matte initially and finally metallic copper. Sandstone fragments were added as flux, possibly in a multi-step process with intermediate roasting of matte, either outside or within the furnace. The total amount of copper produced in the one furnace specifically studied was estimated to about 5kg.
Type: | Book chapter |
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Title: | Reconstructing the Early Medieval copper smelting at Ross Island |
Publisher version: | https://www.nuigalway.ie/archaeology/# |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions. |
UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Institute of Archaeology UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Institute of Archaeology > Institute of Archaeology Gordon Square |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1476010 |
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