I don't know the geology of the Arabian region, so this might be a red
herring (sensu Legge), but some rocks, especially ultrabasic metamorphic
and igneous, weather to give high levels of chromium in the soils
developed on them. Just check the local geology for minerals such as
chromite or its derivatives, or for detrital sediments formed from
peridotites or serpentine.
Terry O'Connor
Chris Mosseri-Marlio wrote:
>
> Dear All
>
> I have bone and soil samples from 2nd millennium deposits from Arabia with
> surprisingly high chromium levels. This may signify presence of tanneries
> using the chromium process (as opposed to the vegetable tanning process
> which uses tannic acid).
>
> The bony evidence, while showing some specimens with skinning cut marks, is
> not particularly suggestive of skinning/tanning at the site as a whole.
>
> Does anyone have any references for early tanning activities that focus to
> some degree on the chemical processes involved?
>
> Thanks
>
> Chris
>
> Chris Mosseri-Marlio
> tel 44 1892 513963
> fax 44 1892 518682
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