Medieval copper smelting in the Harz Mountains, Germany
The Rammelsberg deposit in the Harz mountains in Germany is among the largest metal deposits in the world and has been in continuous use for more than a millennium. There is much controversy as to the nature of the metals produced and the processes involved from the ores of this deposit. This thesis deals with the largest and most accurately excavated smelting site of the high medieval period in the Harz mountains called Huneberg and may be regarded as typical for region and period. Traditionally historians connect the Rammelsberg with silver production, the mining historians, however point out that the deposit is too poor in silver and that copper was produced in the high medieval period. Modern economical literature classifies the Rammelsberg as a lead-zinc deposit. To contribute towards the understanding of these questions an archaeometric study of archaeometallurgic waste- and byproducts, such as slag, furnace lining, furnace wall, litharge and spilled metal drops was undertaken. It builds the base of the interpretation of the metallurgical activities that have taken place at the Huneberg and is contrasted with previous studies. It is suggested that copper, lead and silver in form of argentiferous lead
Asmus, B.
Medieval copper smelting in the Harz Mountains, Germany. The Rammelsberg deposit in the Harz mountains in Germany is among the largest metal deposits in the world and has been in continuous use for more than a millennium. There is much controversy as to the nature of the metals produced and the processes involved from the ores of this deposit. This thesis deals with the largest and most accurately excavated smelting site of the high medieval period in the Harz mountains called Huneberg and may be regarded as typical for region and period. Traditionally historians connect the Rammelsberg with silver production, the mining historians, however point out that the deposit is too poor in silver and that copper was produced in the high medieval period. Modern economical literature classifies the Rammelsberg as a lead-zinc deposit. To contribute towards the understanding of these questions an archaeometric study of archaeometallurgic waste- and byproducts, such as slag, furnace lining, furnace wall, litharge and spilled metal drops was undertaken. It builds the base of the interpretation of the metallurgical activities that have taken place at the Huneberg and is contrasted with previous studies. It is suggested that copper, lead and silver in form of argentiferous lead
medieval copper_smelting mountains germany deposit mountains germany among large metal deposit world continuous use millennium much controversy nature metal produce process_involve ore deposit deal large accurately excavated smelt_site high medieval_period mountains call may regard typical region period traditionally historian connect silver production mining historian however point deposit poor silver copper produce_high medieval_period modern economical literature classifies lead deposit contribute_towards question archaeometric study waste slag furnace lining furnace wall metal drop undertaken build base interpretation metallurgical activity_take_place contrast_previous study suggest copper lead silver form lead