Jim,
According to Lynn Willies in Day and Tylecote 1991 (The Industrial
revolution in Metals, Institute of Metals, London 93 and 96), the Scotch
Hearth was a version of the ore hearth in which the stones of the hearth
were replaced by cast iron blocks.
In the case of lead smelting the low furnaces used in the early
versions of the process were usually termed hearths rather than furnaces
in the British Isles. However, I am sure that there are others much more
knowledgeable on this subject on the arch-metals jiscmail list which is
devoted to the archaeology and history of metals.
Jim Besleme wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> Recently I stumbled onto the words "Scottish Furnace" while reading books on
> the early days of lead smelting in Missouri. Can anyone on this list
> elaborate on the workings of this furnace. I have to assume that this type of
> furnace was used in the UK early on.
>
> Thank you,
> Jim Besleme
> Columbia, Missouri
>
>
--
Chris Salter,
Oxford Materials Characterisation Service,
&
Material Science-based Archaeology Group,
&
Electron Microscopy Research Support Group,
Oxford University Begbroke Science Park,
Sandy Lane, Yarnton, Oxford, OX5 1PF
Tel 01865 283722, EPMA 283741, Mobile 07776031608
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