| Description (summary) |
1999-07-06 |
yt |
The slag-like mass which was found in the accumulation f102 near the ash pit f194 is concluded to be a chunk of high heated mud plaster. Generally, the clay from the Euphrates river includes low iron oxide. Like most of the ceramics which were found in this area, the clay turned green with high heating. In this case, the mass is a dark grayish green colour with lots of bubble-like voids. These indicate that this clay was fired in a high temperature (personally I estimate it was fired higher than 1000 degrees centigrade, but I cannot tell the exact temperature).The sample contains a lot of white particles, which measure a few mm to 2.0 cm in diameter. The white material was identified as calcareous, or calcium carbonate. This material is quite common for making mud plaster throughout a long period of time in West Asia. This fired material shows a possibility that this is associated with a construction like a metal smithy or kiln. [Input: J718OKK.j] |