Metal Working in the Ancient World

Maryon, Herbert

doi:10.2307/500498

Cited by 38 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…As discussed in detail elsewhere (Paparazzo 1994a, 1998), such chemistry is the result of the beneficial effect of the tin at the joint of the fistula. Indeed, at the surface this metal changes entirely to tin dioxide and, by engaging atmospheric oxygen through the chemical reaction Sn + O 2 = SnO 2 , it maximizes the formation of lead–lead chemical bonds—that is, ‘metallization’ across the joint—while it prevents oxidation of lead, which would otherwise be extensive at the relatively high temperatures involved during soldering; that is, ~200–250°C (Maryon 1949). Also, the addition of oil further enhances the lead metallization (see curves (b) and (c)).…”

Section: Materials Results and Pliny's Accountmentioning

confidence: 99%

ORGANIC SUBSTANCES AT METAL SURFACES: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AND THE ELDER PLINY's ACCOUNT*

Paparazzo

2003

Archaeometry

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This paper discusses the implications of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning Auger microscopy (SAM) results that revealed the presence of sizable amounts of carbon-bearing species at the joint of a Roman lead pipe (fistula) and at the surface of a Roman bronze statue. The detailed description in Pliny's Naturalis Historia on the use of oil, pitch and bitumen in metallurgical contexts offers convincing grounds for an interpretation that the experimental findings arise from deliberate addition of these substances to lead and bronze. The surface of ancient metals is in itself a source of archaeological evidence, and XPS/SAM techniques are ideally suited to bringing them to light.

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Section: Materials Results and Pliny's Accountmentioning

confidence: 99%

ORGANIC SUBSTANCES AT METAL SURFACES: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AND THE ELDER PLINY's ACCOUNT*

Paparazzo

2003

Archaeometry

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“…he common joining technique in Ancient Egypt might have been colloidal hard soldering (or difusion bonding), using a copper salt and organic adhesive. Hard soldering using an alloy with a lower melting point than that of the alloy to be soldered (Maryon, 1949) is considered less usual (Ogden, 1992;Lilyquist, 2003). However, on beads from the Wah burial, Schorsch (1995) found an atypical joining technique, perhaps involving hard soldering by adding diferent amounts of copper to the basic alloy; and the investigation of a ring from the Qurneh necklace has shown the use of a hard solder alloy made by adding copper (Tate et al, 2009).…”

Section: Solder Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Technological study of gold jewellery pieces dating from the Middle Kingdom to the New Kingdom in Egypt

Troalen¹,

Guerra²,

Tate³

et al. 2009

archeosciences

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his paper presents a technological study of items of Egyptian jewellery from the collections of the National Museums Scotland: a pendant from the 19 th century BC; objects from the 16 th century BC royal burial unearthed at Qurneh; two gold inger-rings dated to the 14 th century BC; and a group of pendants from the 13 th century BC. he objects were examined using optical microscopy, X-radiography and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In addition, the elementary compositions of alloys and solder joints were investigated using air-path X-ray luorescence (XRF), proton-induced X-ray analysis (micro-PIXE), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS). his preliminary study provides information about the evolution of alloy composition and the use of alluvial gold, and illustrates the Ancient Egyptian goldsmiths' skills in working with wires, granulation and joining techniques. Résumé : Cet article présente l'étude technologique de pièces égyptiennes d'orfèvrerie faisant partie de la collection des musées nationaux d'Écosse : un pendentif daté du XIX e siècle av. J.-C., des pièces d'orfèvrerie provenant de la tombe royale de Qurneh datées du XVI e siècle av. J.-C., deux bagues datées du XIV e siècle av. J.-C. ainsi qu'un groupe de pendentifs datés du XIII e siècle av J.-C. Les objets ont été observés sous microscopie optique, par radiographie de rayons-X et par microscopie électronique à balayage en mode électron secondaire (MEB-SE). En parallèle, la composition des alliages et des soudures a été déterminée par luorescence des rayons-X (FX), par analyse par faisceaux d'ions (micro-PIXE) et par énergie dispersive de rayons-X (MEB-EDS). Cette étude préliminaire donne des informations sur l'évolution des alliages ainsi que sur l'utilisation d'or alluvionnaire, et illustre les techniques utilisées par les orfèvres de l'Egypte Ancienne, en particulier l'utilisation du iligrane, de la granulation et des techniques de soudure.

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“…The use of lead requires a higher melting temperature (T ~ 327 ºC), but the solidification is much faster and produces a homogeneous seal with the lead pipe itself. On the contrary, the plumber solder mentioned by Pliny has a lower liquidus temperature (Tliq ~ 252 ºC) and a wide plastic range (T ~ 69 ºC), thus allowing the plumbarius to mould the seal by hand during cooling with the protection of a thick pad of cloth [6]. However, tin was a less common and more expensive raw material in the Roman Empire [7], so some economic constrains might also have an important role in the selection of the joining technique.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tin determination in fistula seals from Conimbriga and Augusta Emerita

Gomes

Valério

Alves

et al. 2016

Microchemical Journal

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Most Roman hydraulic systems were made with lead plumbing manufactured by casting lead sheets which were sealed by joining the edges with a molten metal. Modern studies suggest that the Romans used distinct techniques for joining the lead pipes (fistulae aquariae), such as welding (with lead) and soldering (with a tin-lead alloy). Micro-EDXRF and micro-PIXE analysis were used for micro-chemical characterization of joining areas of 13 water lead pipes collected in Roman archaeological contexts from Conimbriga and Augusta Emerita. Results indicate that two lead pipes from Conimbriga were sealed with a solder alloy, having a Sn content close to the eutectic point (61.9 wt.%). The remaining fistulae seals have relatively low contents of Sn and also of other elements such as Sb and Cu. Micro-analyses carried out along the pipes and welding regions show the use of lead with some impurities on both areas, while the elemental mapping of tin-lead solders show the presence of the  (lead-rich) and  (tin-rich) phases.

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Metal Working in the Ancient World

Cited by 38 publications

References 0 publications

ORGANIC SUBSTANCES AT METAL SURFACES: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AND THE ELDER PLINY's ACCOUNT*

ORGANIC SUBSTANCES AT METAL SURFACES: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AND THE ELDER PLINY's ACCOUNT*

Technological study of gold jewellery pieces dating from the Middle Kingdom to the New Kingdom in Egypt

Tin determination in fistula seals from Conimbriga and Augusta Emerita

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