Ancient metalworking at Yodhawewa site, Sri Lanka: tracing the archaeological and geochemical relationship by analyzing soil and slags

The Yodhawewa archaeometallurgical site was the latest discovery in Sri Lanka 2018. This study aimed to trace archaeological and geochemical relationship by analyzing soil slags of dating back c. first eighth centuries AD. analysis mainly based on X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method. chemistry resulted some clues special metal processing zones excavation-1 area. cultural layers that area (profiles 1 2) showed relatively high copper composition (max. 470 ppm), crucible fragments containing particles were also detected same layers. vertical distribution elements their correlations with TiO2 suggested long-term activity may have affected changes environmental chemistry. Relatively phosphorus indicated soil-related furnace wall, suggesting artificial addition organic matter clay body during wall construction withstand temperatures. High iron slag (HIS) varies from 12.96 49.63 wt% Fe2O3 shows MnO, P2O5, V. Lightweight amorphous/glassy (LIS) associated secondary refining low content a CaO Sr composition.