Back in the late 1990s, archaeological work was done at a Roman site (fort with probably vicus) at Brompton, on the Shropshire-Powys border. Considerable quantities of litharge cakes were found (at least 30kg). The excavators concluded that cupellation had taken place at this site, to recover silver from a lead-silver ore. Can anyone suggest why the litharge was not reprocessed to recover the lead?
David Poyner
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