ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF EARLY BRONZE-AGE AND MEDIEVAL TIN SLAGS

The elemental composition and the internal structure of two slag sampl es have been analyzed and compared using scanning electron microscopy- wavelength dispersive spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry . The first sample studied is a vitreous accretion found on a ceramic crucible sherd, which originates from an Early Bronze Age site in the Kestel/Goltepe area of Anatolia. The intention for examining this glas sy-looking material was to verify whether it corresponds in compositio n to a tin slag. The results of these measurements form part of a rese arch project involving the search for ancient tin production in Turkey and have a direct relevance on the study of tin sources in the near E ast. Kestel/Goltepe is presumably the first local tin source found in the Anatolian area and in view of this, the vitreous accretion is comp ared with a medieval tin slag from a more distant source: the Crift Fa rm in Cornwall, UK. Results of the present study show that both sample s are composed of silicates, each with different admixtures of oxides and metals and confirm that the Anatolian crucible accretion correspon ds in composition to a typical metallic tin slag.