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Noghnai S, Sharifinia A, Shokrzadeh M, Khanzadi M J. Archaeo-metallurgical Analysis of Iron Slag belonging to the Archaeological Site of Sirvan - Elam province, SW Iran. JRA 2024; 10 (1) :51-68
URL: http://jra-tabriziau.ir/article-1-424-en.html

During the archeological investigations and speculations for the geo-archaeological studies of Sirvan historical site in Elam province, pieces were obtained that indicate the remains of pyrometallurgical activities in this site. Five samples of these fragments were selected to perform archaeometric studies and determine their chemical and mineralogical characteristics. The main objectives of this study are identifying the type of extracted metal, investigating melting process and estimating the furnace temperature and the efficiency of this process on investigated samples at the time. The analysis of sample’s structures was done through XRD, XRF and metallographic microscope were the main objectives of this research. The results of this research show that according to the identification of the main phases of Wüstite, magnetite and hematite, these pieces are iron smelting slags. The presence of Wüstite and calcite in all samples indicates that the furnace temperature range was at least 570℃ to about 900℃. Also, due to the high amounts of iron oxide remaining in the slag, the type of furnace is from the category of bloomery furnaces with low efficiency, and calcite is used as a flux. The presence of different amounts of Wüstite, magnetite and hematite phases in these samples indicates that these slags are formed in different parts and atmospheric conditions of the furnace in the reduction-oxidation condition. Considering a few research carried out in the field of ancient metalworking in the western regions of Iran and especially the historical sites of Elam province, this research is the beginning of conducting comparative studies in the field of iron smelting and mining technology in the west of central Zagros regions.