We're talking about slag tubes here, but nevertheless I'd like
to mention the following type of find from forging contexts,
just to rule this rather similar type of object out of the
discussion:
There is a slaggish type of ceramic tube that's very common at
Scandinavian workshop sites, from the Migration period site
Helgö and up into later Middle Ages. This is a type of ceramic
wrapping material, that looks slaggy on the outside surfaces,
but usually ceramic at the inner surface. Sometimes, though,
they may be slaggy all way through.
The inside surfaces bear imprints of usually diagonal bindings,
and the may derive from a case hardening or box carburisation
process for steel as described by Theophilus, were steel tools
are supposed to get wrapped in goatskin and a clay package and
then put into the forge for a long time under steady heat.
There is some info on these in "Clarke & Lamm 2008; Excavations
at Helgö XVII, Workshop part III, Stockholm", and a picture of
one of these tubes appearances at (there are a lot of
variations)http://www.arkeodok.com/Nya%20filer/Metalworking%20at%20Frojel.pdf
(page 17).
Best regards,
Anders Söderberg
>----Ursprungligt meddelande----
>Från: [log in to unmask]
>Datum: 17-11-2009 19:18
>Till: <[log in to unmask]>
>Ärende: slag rods/tubes on archaeological sites
>
>Dear slag fans
>Just wondered whether anyone feels they're
recognised any patterns ( date/technology/region) in the
occurance of the tube-shaped pieces of slag which turn up from
time to time.
>
>I've just come across some nice examplef ( from a supposed
smithing site but I'm assuming it's residual from earlier
smelting activity).
>
>I've also assumed such forms occur where someone has rodded
through a blocked tapping arch and the resultant flow
solidifies in the hole formed.
>Any other hypotheses?
>
>Cheers,
>Dave
>
>David Starley PhD AIFA
>75 Albert Rd.
>Shipley
>W.Yorks
>UK
>BD18 4NS
>
>T: 01274 586 272
>E: [log in to unmask]
>W: (archaeometallurgy) www.davidstarley.com >W: (art) www.saa.co.uk/art/davidstarley
>
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