The classification and interpretation of tin smelting remains from South West England. A study of the microstructure and chemical composition of tin smelting slags from Devon and Cornwall, and the effect of technological developments upon the character of slags.

Artefacts relating to tin smelting from tin mills or ¿blowing houses¿ in Devon and Cornwall, plus material from smelting sites that cover a range of dates from the Bronze Age through to the 19th Century, were examined: these include metallic tin, furnace linings, ore samples and slag. Analysis of tin slags from over forty sites was carried out, to determine microstructure and chemical composition. Techniques employed included optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence and ICP mass spectrometry. Analysis indicates that slag appearance and composition are heavily influenced by local geology. Composition, particularly iron content, is shown to have a strong effect on slag melting point and viscosity, and the implications for the purity of metal produced are discussed. Bringing together the evidence provided by slag chemistry, documentary sources and smelting remains in the archaeological record, changes in tin smelting technology through time, and the consequences thereof, are considered.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Bradford

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Malham, Albertine

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• McDonnell, Gerry
• Janaway, Robert C.
• Stern, Ben

• Tin
• Smelting
• Slag
• Furnace
• Devon
• Cornwall
• Medieval
• Post-medieval
• Blowing houses (Tin mills)

Statement dc:rights

• <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10454/4906

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/4906