Ronald
 
Thanks for the info- and the most emotive description of the stench & smoky
scene which must have acompanied ore roasting.
 
The process as described at Hill's smelting works obviously produces a
similar result, but does not appear to be undertaken in an in-ground kiln
like the ones I am dealing with here.  On the contrary, its more like
charcoal burning where earth is heaped over the a pile of ore and timber
which is then fired.  I have received other reports of this type of ore
roasting in the western states of the U.S. but thus far no in-ground kilns.
However, there are a number of them in Australia, particularly in the state
of Victoria.  There many date from the 1840s-50s, which is 40 years or so
earlier than my ones.
 
I haven't collated the responses I have had so far (but the above is more or
less a summary) but hope to do so shortly.  The paper will be published in
the 1998 volume of the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology Journal.
 
Again thanks for your interest and the info. The email is a very efficient
way of getting an international perspective on things.
 
Regards
 
 
Neville Ritchie
 
  At 21:19 4/01/98 -0800, you wrote:
>Back in November Neville Ritchie and Alexy Simmons requested information on
>in-ground roasting kilns.  I have had one report on what seems to be one in
>Northern Nevada, but have been unable to visit the locality to confirm this
>possibility.  Above-ground metal roasters are common in this area.
>
>Finally my files have yielded a report that Jen Huntley-Smith (University
>of Nevada, Reno) gave me a while back:
>
>"Though several large stamp-mills are at work in Black Hawk, I believe the
>smelting process is thought to be the best, as saving the largest
>percentage of gold.  Hill's smelting works are the most extensive.  In a
>large yard the ore is first subjected to a desulphurizing process.  Wood is
>piled up as for charcoal burning, the ore laid on it, and covered with
>earth; then the wood is fired, and the precious mass above compelled to
>render up its unpleasant ghost.  The smoke of its torment ascendeth up, and
>chokes the traveller on the high road.  There is something fearfully
>suggestive in that dark hollow, with its never-quenched fires, and those
>columns of yellow, suffocating smoke; and I did not doubt the story I was
>told of a drunken man, who, having wandered in here and fallen asleep,
>awoke in the sulphurous atmosphere to gasp out, 'In ------ at last!'"
>
>from Grace Greenwood NEW LIFE IN NEW LANDS: NOTES OF TRAVEL.  J.B. Ford &
>Co., New York, 1873.  Microfilm Women's History C-24(1), Getchell Library,
>University of Nevada, Reno.
>
>Best of luck on your project, I am most interested in seeing the results
>when available.
>
>Ronald L. Reno, Ph.D.
>Archaeological Research Services
>P.O. Box 701
>977 South D Street
>     Office (702) 847-0615
>Virginia City, NV  89440
>Office Fax  (702) 847-0616
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