Interpreting the Chemical Variability of Iron Smelting Slag: A Case Study from Northeastern Madagascar

The archaeological remains of a metallurgical workshop were excavated at Amboronala (northeast Madagascar/1000–1200 CE). bulk mineralogical (X-ray Diffraction) and chemical Fluorescence) data on ores, building materials, slag are used to carry out mass balance calculation. results show an important variability from one smelt the other, reflecting poorly controlled process. During each smelt, given amount material contributes formation slag, conditions reduction allow extraction metal. These two main factors influence composition independently variably. This finding allows make some inference origin technique organization production can be made.