Journal of Conservation Science (보존과학회지)

The Korean Society Of Conservation Science For Cultural Heritage (한국문화재보존과학회)
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Characterization of a Smelting Furnace in Ungyo Site in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do, Through Slag Analysis

  • Received : 2019.07.13
  • Accepted : 2019.08.02
  • Published : 2019.08.20
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Abstract

We characterized the smelting process and smelting furnace through scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and raman micro-spectroscopy with 13 relics including slags and furnace walls excavated from square-shaped building sites and pits of the Three Kingdoms site at the Ungyo site section I. Our results revealed that the principal components were FeO and SiO2; and CuO, PbO, and ZnO were contained in small quantities. Furthermore, fayalite, magnetite, augite, copper, and cuprite were found. High contents of FeO or SiO2 components seem to have been added to form fayalite to remove gangue in the smelting process. The relatively low content of S detected in the copper prills suggests that roasting was performed well. Cristobalite and mullite, which are minerals that indicate high-temperature found in the furnace wall, show that the smelting temperature was higher than 1,250℃. The findings of this study show a high possibility that the Wanju Ungyo site is smelting remains of copper ores, which are nonferrous metals, rather than iron. Various smelting byproducts excavated in this area in the future will help us better understand the copper smelting process that may have been performed since ancient times.

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References

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