>not strictly mining-related but does anybody know anything about the early
>exploitation and refining of borax,
Irene,
Sources for borax (a hydrous sodium borate) in ancient times would be very
limited. The natural occurence of borax, along with the other hydrous
borates, would appear to be confined to dry, desert conditions where they
formed from surface solutions. Pough, A Field Guide to Rocks and Mineral,
(London, 1970), pp. 174-5 and 178, gives Tibet as the ancient source.
Given its limited occurence, I would suggest that its use in European
metallurgy was confined to specialist processes. If you were to find
evidence of wider use then is it possible that another, chemically similar,
flux was being used?
Peter
______________________________________________
Peter Claughton, Blaenpant Morfil, Rosebush, Clynderwen,
Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE.
Tel. 01437 532578; Fax. 01437 532921; Mobile 07831 427599
University of Exeter - Department of History
School of Historical, Political and Sociological Studies
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