Metal to mould: alloy identification in experimental casting moulds using XRF
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Published
Nov 10, 2021
Abstract
Archaeological moulds are often analysed for metal traces to identify
the alloys cast in them. However, the relationships between an alloy and its corresponding
trace on a mould are not simple, and few studies have investigated them.
This paper reports experiments in which copper alloys of known compositions were cast in clay moulds. The moulds were analysed using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence to determine the remains different alloys left in them. Some metal oxides mechanically adhere to the mould, but their different thermochemical properties ultimately determine the extent to which they become chemically bonded to the fabric. The metals behave differently in the presence of one another, determining which of the constituents of particular alloys leave traces. Inferences can be made as to the original alloys cast in moulds, but any conclusions should be drawn with caution.
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References
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Dungworth D 1997 ‘Roman copper alloys: Analysis of artefacts from northern Britain’, Journal of Archaeological Science 24, 901–910.
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Dungworth D and Nicholas M 2004, ‘Caldarium? An antimony bronze used for medieval and post medieval domestic vessels’, Historical Metallurgy 38(1), 24–34.
Kearns T 2005, Metal to Mould: an experimental study of casting moulds using ED-XRF. Unpublished BSc dissertation, Institute of Archaeology, University College London.
Killick D 2001, ‘Science, speculation and the origins of extractive metallurgy’, in D R Brothwell and A M Pollard (eds), Handbook of archaeological science (Chichester), 483–492.
Martinón-Torres M and Rehren T 2002, ‘Agricola and Zwickau: theory and practice of Renaissance brass production in SE Germany’, Historical Metallurgy 36(2), 95–111.
Mongiatti A, Martinón-Torres M and Rehren T 2009, ‘Testing ores for gold and silver in Renaissance Austria: new techniques, new discoveries’, in J-F Moreau, R Auger, J Chabot and A Herzog (eds), Proceedings ISA 2006. 36th International Symposium on Archaeometry, May 2006 (Quebec: Cahiers d’archéologie du CELAT 25. Série Archéométrie 7), 444/37–444/49.
Reser M (ed) 1969, Phase Diagrams for Ceramists 1969 supplement, Vol 1 (Columbus, Ohio).
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Tite M S, Freestone I, Mason R, Molera J, Vendrell-Saz M and Wood N 1998, ‘Lead glazes in antiquity – methods of production and reasons for use’, Archaeometry 40(2), 241–260.
Tylecote R 1980, ‘Furnaces, crucibles, and slags’, in T A Wertime and J D Muhly (eds), The coming of the age of iron (New Haven, Conn), 183–228.
Welter J-M 2003, ‘The zinc content of brass: a chronological indicator?’, Techne: La science au service de l’histoire de l’art et des civilisations 18, 27–36.
Wilthew P and Bayley J with Linton R 1991, ‘Analysis of the metal-working debris’, in T Gregory, Excavations in Thetford, 1980–1982, Fison Way (Gressenhall: East Anglian Archaeology 53), 141–3.
Bayley J 1989, ‘Non-metallic evidence for metal working’, in Y Maniatis (ed), Archaeometry, Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium (Amsterdam), 291–303.
Bayley J 1991, ‘Processes in precious metal working’, in P Budd, B Chapman, C Jackson, R Janaway and B Ottaway (eds), Archaeological Sciences 1989. Proceedings of a conference on the application of scientific techniques to archaeology (Oxford), 125-131.
Bayley J, Freestone I C, Jenner A and Vince A G 1991, ‘Metallurgy’, in A G Vince (ed), Aspects of Saxon and Norman London, 2: Finds and environmental evidence (London), 389–405.
Brandes E A 1983, Smithells metals reference book (London).
Caley E R 1967, Orichalcum and related ancient alloys: Origin, composition and manufacture with special reference to the coinage ofthe Roman Empire, rep edn, 1st edn 1964 (New York).
Chirikure S, Heimann R B and Killick D 2010, ‘The technology of tin smelting in the Rooiberg valley, Limpopo province, South Africa, ca 1650–1850 CE’, Journal of Archaeological Science 37(7), 1656–1669.
Dungworth D 1996 ‘Caley’s ‘zinc decline’ reconsidered’, Numismatic Chronicle 156, 228–234.
Dungworth D 1997 ‘Roman copper alloys: Analysis of artefacts from northern Britain’, Journal of Archaeological Science 24, 901–910.
Dungworth D 2000, ‘A note on the analysis of crucibles and moulds’, Historical Metallurgy 34(2), 83–86.
Dungworth D and Bayley J 1999, Crucibles, moulds and tuyères from Mucking, Essex (London: Ancient Monuments Laboratory Report 77/1999).
Dungworth D and Nicholas M 2004, ‘Caldarium? An antimony bronze used for medieval and post medieval domestic vessels’, Historical Metallurgy 38(1), 24–34.
Kearns T 2005, Metal to Mould: an experimental study of casting moulds using ED-XRF. Unpublished BSc dissertation, Institute of Archaeology, University College London.
Killick D 2001, ‘Science, speculation and the origins of extractive metallurgy’, in D R Brothwell and A M Pollard (eds), Handbook of archaeological science (Chichester), 483–492.
Martinón-Torres M and Rehren T 2002, ‘Agricola and Zwickau: theory and practice of Renaissance brass production in SE Germany’, Historical Metallurgy 36(2), 95–111.
Mongiatti A, Martinón-Torres M and Rehren T 2009, ‘Testing ores for gold and silver in Renaissance Austria: new techniques, new discoveries’, in J-F Moreau, R Auger, J Chabot and A Herzog (eds), Proceedings ISA 2006. 36th International Symposium on Archaeometry, May 2006 (Quebec: Cahiers d’archéologie du CELAT 25. Série Archéométrie 7), 444/37–444/49.
Reser M (ed) 1969, Phase Diagrams for Ceramists 1969 supplement, Vol 1 (Columbus, Ohio).
Rovira S L 2007. ‘La producción de bronces en la Prehistoria’, in J Molera, J Farjas, P Roura and T Pradell (eds), Avances en Arqueometría. Actas del VI Congreso Ibérico de Arqueometría 2005 (Girona), 21–35.
Tite M S, Freestone I, Mason R, Molera J, Vendrell-Saz M and Wood N 1998, ‘Lead glazes in antiquity – methods of production and reasons for use’, Archaeometry 40(2), 241–260.
Tylecote R 1980, ‘Furnaces, crucibles, and slags’, in T A Wertime and J D Muhly (eds), The coming of the age of iron (New Haven, Conn), 183–228.
Welter J-M 2003, ‘The zinc content of brass: a chronological indicator?’, Techne: La science au service de l’histoire de l’art et des civilisations 18, 27–36.
Wilthew P and Bayley J with Linton R 1991, ‘Analysis of the metal-working debris’, in T Gregory, Excavations in Thetford, 1980–1982, Fison Way (Gressenhall: East Anglian Archaeology 53), 141–3.
How to Cite
Metal to mould: alloy identification in experimental casting moulds using XRF. (2021). Historical Metallurgy, 44(1), 48-58. https://www.hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/161
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How to Cite
Metal to mould: alloy identification in experimental casting moulds using XRF. (2021). Historical Metallurgy, 44(1), 48-58. https://www.hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/161