ANALYSES OF SOME "LITHARGE CAKES" FROM SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL, LONDON.
Author(s): P Budd
Eight fragments of "litharge cakes" excavated from Roman contexts were examined and analysed qualitatively byX-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. The material was found to contain a number of lead compounds including litharge (lead monoxide) in hydrated form as well astraces of copper, silver and tin. It is likely that thematerial formed as a result of the cupellation of leadused to extract silver from a silver-containing copper alloy.
- Report Number:
- 142/1987
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 3
- Keywords:
- Technology
