Archaeometallurgical Investigations of Copper Alloy Artifacts and Copper Smelting: Studies Utilizing Neutron Methods and Thermodynamic Modeling

Herringer, Susan N.

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Year:: 2017
Contributor:: Herringer, Susan N. (creator); Sheldon, Brian (Director); Briant, Clyde (Reader); Bilheux, Hassina (Reader); Brown University. ENGINEERING: Materials Science (sponsor)
Genre:: theses
Subject:: archaeometallurgy; copper alloys; copper smelting; neutron imaging; neutron diffraction; thermodynamic modeling; energy expenditures
Extent:: xxv, 237 p.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7301/Z02B8WG6

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Abstract:: This two-part dissertation-thesis represents a compilation of interdisciplinary studies conducted between materials science and archaeology/cultural heritage as part of the Open Graduate Education Program at Brown University. While ancient cast metal objects utilize a variety of casting techniques and are found around the world, it is difficult to study the complete technological process that resulted in their creation because of the limited direct archaeological evidence of their casting production. Archaeology borrows methods from the physical sciences to reverse-engineer these technological processes by examining the objects themselves. Part I of this dissertation utilizes non-invasive and non-destructive neutron methods to study the internal structure of cultural heritage materials. Neutron imaging was exploited to analyze the structure and production technology behind four case studies of copper alloy artifacts from the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World and the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology. Gradual variations in the neutron attenuation within some of the artifacts led to an evaluation of macrosegregation in experimental cast bronze materials utilizing neutron imaging and neutron diffraction. While beam hardening effects obscured the observation of macrosegregation in the neutron images of the experimental casts, neutron diffraction and micro-XRF analysis of experimental and ancient casts, respectively, demonstrated the alloy segregation present. Part II of this dissertation employed thermodynamic modeling software, FactSage, to examine the atmospheric conditions as well as energy costs of smelting different copper ores – tenorite, azurite, and malachite. The control of energy expenditures and the control of atmospheric conditions in the furnace are two of the important challenges that early smelters encountered in the development of smelting pyrotechnology. The comparisons presented explore the energy costs associated with the use of different ores and fuels. In addition, the associated efficiencies of the smelt are evaluated with regard to the energy costs. The carbonate ores require more energy to smelt than does the oxide ore, which demonstrates the possibility of preference in ore type selection for the smelt. However, the energy costs during the smelt were primarily associated with controlling the combustion atmosphere and therefore furnace design played a crucial role in the development of smelting technology.
Notes:: Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brown University, 2017

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Rights: In Copyright
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Herringer, Susan N., "Archaeometallurgical Investigations of Copper Alloy Artifacts and Copper Smelting: Studies Utilizing Neutron Methods and Thermodynamic Modeling" (2017). Materials Science Engineering Theses and Dissertations. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://doi.org/10.7301/Z02B8WG6

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Materials Science Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations for the Materials Science Engineering department.
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