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The end product of interest was the iron, even if this was not the original intent. I will have to try do figure out where I read about very early use of pyritic ore for iron. Bart Torbert From: Arch-Metals Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Prof. Noel H Gale Sent: Saturday, September 07, 2013 5:47 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Pyritic Iron Ore I agree with Peter and Thilo but I note that the query was about "ancient smelting processes for pyritic iron ore", without specifying what end product was of interest. If the emphasis is on ancient smelting processes, then there are of course the references in De Re Metallica, 399 and 401, to smelting pyrites for gold and silver (the page references are to the Dover reprint of Agricola); the same work refers on p 578 to the use of pyrites in making vitriol. Though not involving smelting, the production of vitriol by water dripping through the Cypriot pyrite deposits was described much earlier by Discorides, Pliny the Elder and Galen. On 7 September 2013 10:51, Rehren, Thilo <[log in to unmask]> wrote: I agree with Peter - I think pyrite used to be mined for its sulphur content (as in Spain) to produce sulphuric acid and elemental sulphur (black powder..), before the sulphur produced as a by-product from oil and gas production put an end to this. Of course, the Iberian pyrite belt was also famously mined for copper, gold and silver - but that's a while ago (Phoenician and Roman mostly), and not for iron as a metal (except maybe for some iron cap sections). Thilo -----Original Message----- From: Arch-Metals Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter King Sent: 07 September 2013 12:06 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Pyritic Iron Ore What are you trying to make from the ore? Sulphide ores were not usually used to make iron, because sulphur makes the iron redshort, and thus incapable of being forged. The main use for this mineral was making iron sulphate. I forget its uses: I have a recollection that there was a vitriol making process, but my chemistry is saying that this should not work; or it may be as an ingredient of alum. Peter King 49, Stourbridge Road, Hagley Stourbridge West Midlands DY9 0QS [log in to unmask] 01562-720368 -----Original Message----- From: Arch-Metals Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bart Torbert Sent: 07 September 2013 01:12 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Pyritic Iron Ore Hello All, Can someone point me to references about ancient smelting processes for pyritic iron ore? Bart Torbert -- Professor N H Gale, MA, DSc, PhD, BSc, ARCS, FSA, Nuffield College, Oxford.