Slags from Bronze Age copper production in Acqua Fredda

Abstract So-called “plate slags” from the archaeological Bronze Age copper smelting site Acqua Fredda were examined. What was common to all examined slags that their compositions, once converted and plotted on FeO-SiO 2 -CaO phase diagram, located at boundary between olivine wollastonite, resulting in melting temperatures of approx. 1100 °C for slags. Slags with a composition which fall within region exhibit long, thin crystals glassy matrix. wollastonite have very fine-grained structure, making identification impossible. The copper-containing inclusions slag mainly consist Fe-poor Cu S, but FeO SiO may also be present. General assertions about local production should not made based analyses conducted this study.