The complex Mossbauer spectra exhibited by Fe(x)O (x almost-equal-to 0
.91) and (Fe1-yMgy)xO (y = 0.15-0.85) powder samples at liquid helium
temperature have been analysed by a Hamiltonian treatment to allow for
the significant electric field gradients present at the Fe2+ defect s
ites. The magnetic behaviour of the defect clusters are considered in
terms of antiferromagnetic couplings, consistent with the spin glass-l
ike behaviour reported recently for magnesio-wustite.