Change of copper smelting techniques during medieval times in the Harz Mountains, Germany

摘要

Microfabric and geochemical investigations of medieval fayalite-dominated slags from two smelting sites in the western part of the Harz Mountains indicate the production of a silver-bearing "Kupfer-stein" (matte). Differences in geochemistry and the mineral assemblages of the slags are interpreted as a development of smelting techniques with time. This is most likely due to a change in ore mineralogy to lower Fe and higher Zn contents.