Mineralogical study of archaeological copper slags found in the area of Krushevets Village, SE Bulgaria
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2020-08-01
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Abstract
In this article, we present the results of our study on archaeological slags found near the village of Krushevets, Southeast Bulgaria. Chemical analyses of the slags show a high Fe2O3(40.11-54.57%) and SiO2(29.32-42.28%) content, increased CaO content (3.01-6.51%), as well as very low quantity of SO3(from 0.20% to 0.52%) and P2O5(between 0.23% and 0.30%). The unbound residual copper in the samples is in an amount of 0.41% to 1.07%. The main phases composition of the slags are as follows: fayalite-type silicate phases with impurities, kirschsteinite and laihunite; pyroxenes of the augite-type and amorphous hosted glass; iron-oxide phases (magnetite and maghemite); and copper-containing phases (drops of unbound copper, relicts of ore minerals such as bornite, chalcopyrite), as well as newly formed phases, such as chalcocite, and copper-containing spherical aggregates. The studied samples are a by-product of copper extraction metallurgical activity. The raw material used was of copper-sulfide type with impurities of manganese-, calcium-, magnesium- and aluminium-containing minerals.