Macroscopic and microscopic variation of iron and high carbon steel production in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania
One essential feature of African iron production process is that it is greatly variable in culture and technology. The early research focused on some themes: origins, culture, and how iron was produced, which were investigated using archaeological, ethno-archaeological, and experimental methods. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the relationship between macroscopic and microscopic variation of iron and steel production in the southern highlands of Tanzania. I used field methods: ethnographic inquiry, surface and sub-surface survey, mapping, and excavation; and laboratory analytical techniques: firing, optical and electron microscopy, microanalysis, and X-ray fluorescence to investigate the research theme. The results indicate that there is a strong relationship between macro- and microscopic variation of iron and steel production in terms of the use technical ceramics with good refractory qualities, the presence of the three stage process in Ufipa and Unyiha, involving a refining stage between the smelting and smithing stages; the liquid slag handling techniques, the reduction efficiency, and the nature of the final products: soft iron and carbon-rich steel. Although there are macroscopic data on the
Lyaya, E. C.
Macroscopic and microscopic variation of iron and high carbon steel production in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. One essential feature of African iron production process is that it is greatly variable in culture and technology. The early research focused on some themes: origins, culture, and how iron was produced, which were investigated using archaeological, ethno-archaeological, and experimental methods. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the relationship between macroscopic and microscopic variation of iron and steel production in the southern highlands of Tanzania. I used field methods: ethnographic inquiry, surface and sub-surface survey, mapping, and excavation; and laboratory analytical techniques: firing, optical and electron microscopy, microanalysis, and X-ray fluorescence to investigate the research theme. The results indicate that there is a strong relationship between macro- and microscopic variation of iron and steel production in terms of the use technical ceramics with good refractory qualities, the presence of the three stage process in Ufipa and Unyiha, involving a refining stage between the smelting and smithing stages; the liquid slag handling techniques, the reduction efficiency, and the nature of the final products: soft iron and carbon-rich steel. Although there are macroscopic data on the
macroscopic_microscopic variation iron high carbon steel production southern highlands tanzania essential feature african iron_production process greatly variable culture technology early focus theme origin culture iron produce investigate use archaeological ethno archaeological experimental_method purpose_examine relationship macroscopic_microscopic variation iron_steel production southern highlands tanzania use field method ethnographic inquiry surface sub surface survey mapping excavation laboratory analytical_technique firing optical electron_microscopy microanalysis x_ray_fluorescence investigate theme indicate strong relationship macro microscopic variation iron_steel production term use technical_ceramic good quality presence three_stage process involve refining stage smelt smithing stage liquid slag handle technique reduction efficiency nature final product soft iron carbon rich steel although macroscopic data