George,
Whilst I can accept that lead levels in ice and peat can provide markers as
indicators of past lead / copper smelting phases, I would be sceptical the
quantities derived from the evidence. We know from the medieval evidence
that lead smelting techniques were inefficient - and up to 28 percent might
be lost in the refining process alone. If smelting levels are derived from
modern data they will grossly overstate the quantities smelted in antiquity.
Peter
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Peter Claughton, Blaenpant Morfil, Rosebush, Clynderwen,
Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE.
Tel. 01437 532578; Fax. 01437 532921; Mobile 07831 427599
University of Exeter - School of Historical, Political and Sociological Studies
(Centre for South Western Historical Studies)
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Mining History Pages - http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~pfclaugh/mhinf/
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