Chemical Analysis of Iron Slags and Metallic Artefacts from Early Iron Age

Abstract

Eight samples of iron slag and two metallic artefacts from two Early Iron Age sites in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, Čolaci and Pod, were analysed using chemical instrumental methods. Atomic absorption spectrometry was applied to determine major (Fe, Al, Ca, Na, Mg, K and Mn) and trace elements (Cr, Cu, Co, Ni and Zn), while gravimetric method and molecular visible spectrometry were applied to determine Si and Ti, respectively. Infrared spectrum of selected samples was recorded during different phases of analysis and the results show that the primary ore was hematite. Results also indicate that residents from both sites, which are adjacent, used the same ore source. Low values of Ca, whose compounds are used as flux in later stages of the processing of iron ore, show that the processing of iron at the study sites was in the beginning stage of its development. Based on the obtained results, metallic artefacts found at the site Čolaci probably came from site Pod. Graphical presentation of the content relationship between the selected metal oxides in the slag was preformed to present differences between samples from two sites. Analysis of trace elements in the analysed slags confirmed that they originate from Early Iron Age.