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Date: | Wed, 29 Nov 2000 07:28:29 -0500 |
Content-Type: | MULTIPART/MIXED |
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Ned, Adrian, Jamie or others,
We have a modest amount of slag on the site of the former Augusta Arsenal,
but no systemic slag analysis program (we are careful not to dump it, but don't
have any clear plan of what to do with it either).
Would any of you who feel strongly about this care to suggest reference
sources to guide those of us who are not well informed regarding
archaeometallurgy. I, for one, would be happy to receive some guidance (on
list or off) and I hope that Jamie will be publishing his upcoming paper or be
willing to make copies available to interested parties. I will not be able to
be at the SHA to hear it read.
Chris Murphy
Ned Heite wrote:
> Adrian Praetzellis wrote:
>
> I'm totally in agreement with JHB concerning
> slag and clinker (nice to know
> there's another clinker fetishist
> out there), but industrially made bottles
> are a different kettle of fish.
> They are essentially identical and take up
> a lot of room in a box.
>
> Here's another total agreement with Jamie on the subject of slag and
> clinker. Slag in particular is an incredibly valuable resource, but it can
> be quite variable within a site. Any sampling of slags and clinkers must be
> accomplished with due regard for the archaeometallurgy. There are plenty of
> written guides to slag study, and it would be unconscionable for anyone to
> dig any metal-related site without a slag-analysis program.
>
> But I must disagree with Adrian on the subject of industrial products. This
> has all the characteristics of yet another offhand dismissal. Collectors
> know that industrially-produced artifacts are subject to variations. Just
> ask any dealer in "collectible" model trains, beer bottles, or other
> trinkets.
>
> Some of our most sensitive artifact types might be mass-produced objects,
> like bottles. I'm familiar with a local mineral-water bottler who bought a
> half-dozen different bottles, which could consitute an important local
> dating key.
>
> And don't get me started about tin cans!
>
> Ned Heite ([log in to unmask])
> **************************************************
> * Hell is sliced white bread, canned light beer, *
> * and kitchen sinks with garbage grinders. *
> **************************************************
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