Archaeometric examination of medieval ferruginous smithing slags collected from the sites of Tell Dhiban, Jordan and the Armenian Garden, Jerusalem, Israel
Two assemblages of chronologically contemporary medieval iron smithing slags, collected from the southern Levantine archaeological sites of Tell Dhiban and the Armenian Garden, have been studied archaeometrically. There is a paucity of scientifically orientated examinations of smithing slags when compared to smelting slags, and there have been very few previous studies of smithing slags from this geographical region, and none with the particular age range of the specimens from these sites; as such this study provides a first-look investigation of these materials. An extensive collection of both chemical analysis results and microscopic images has been compiled, with the aim of broadening the general body of knowledge with regards to this type of material and providing initial baseline data for these two sites. The results of this investigation have revealed that the slags from these two sites are unusual in terms of both chemical composition and microstructure when compared to the smithing slag classification framework proposed by Serneels and Perret (2003). An alternative analytical method has been evaluated, where chemical compositions are determined as elements rather than simple oxides; this allows the
Gethin, Peter Tom
Archaeometric examination of medieval ferruginous smithing slags collected from the sites of Tell Dhiban, Jordan and the Armenian Garden, Jerusalem, Israel. Two assemblages of chronologically contemporary medieval iron smithing slags, collected from the southern Levantine archaeological sites of Tell Dhiban and the Armenian Garden, have been studied archaeometrically. There is a paucity of scientifically orientated examinations of smithing slags when compared to smelting slags, and there have been very few previous studies of smithing slags from this geographical region, and none with the particular age range of the specimens from these sites; as such this study provides a first-look investigation of these materials. An extensive collection of both chemical analysis results and microscopic images has been compiled, with the aim of broadening the general body of knowledge with regards to this type of material and providing initial baseline data for these two sites. The results of this investigation have revealed that the slags from these two sites are unusual in terms of both chemical composition and microstructure when compared to the smithing slag classification framework proposed by Serneels and Perret (2003). An alternative analytical method has been evaluated, where chemical compositions are determined as elements rather than simple oxides; this allows the
archaeometric examination medieval smithing slag collect site_tell jordan armenian garden jerusalem israel assemblage chronologically contemporary medieval iron smithing slag collect southern_levantine archaeological_site tell armenian garden study paucity scientifically orientate examination smithing slag compare smelt slag previous_study smithing geographical_region none particular age_range specimens site study provide_first look investigation material extensive collection chemical_analysis microscopic image compile aim broaden general body_knowledge regard type material provide initial baseline data two_site investigation reveal two_site unusual term chemical_composition microstructure compare smithing slag classification framework propose alternative analytical_method evaluate chemical_composition determine element rather simple oxide allows