Lead Smelting Waste from the 2001-2002 Excavations at Combe Martin, Devon
Author(s): Peter Claughton, Trevor Dunkerley, Sarah Paynter
Slag from the smelting of silver-rich lead ore, produced in the 16th / 17th centuries, was recovered by Trevor Dunkerley during excavations in Combe Martin, North Devon. Samples of slag from 19th century smelting in the village were also obtained for comparison. The slag was examined and analysed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The 16th / 17th century slag was predominantly a glassy iron silicate, containing small amounts of metal sulphide. This slag is thought to be waste from a slag hearth. The lead content was about 3.5wt% and the silver content was below detectable levels. The 19th century material was a highly crystalline, porous iron alumina silicate slag. The lead and silver contents were below detectable levels. This slag is thought to be waste from the flowing furnace used by the Combemartin and North Devon Smelting Co Ltd.
- Report Number:
- 79/2003
- Series:
- CfA Reports
- Pages:
- 22
- Keywords:
- Lead Metal Working-non Fe Post Medieval Silver Technology
