• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.392-402
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• 2019

This study interpreted the characteristics of the site and provenance of raw material by performing material characteristics analysis of the slags and tuyeres excavated from the Sinpung site in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do. The major chemical compositions suggested that the slags and tuyeres were created when Cu-Sn-Pb was alloyed. Metal microscope and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer analyses revealed that the slags and tuyeres were by-products formed in the alloying process. This alloy, created by adding galena to copper and tin ingots, was an intermediary material used in making the finished products. According to the lead isotope ratio analysis result, slags could be made using galena of the southern Zone III region of Korea. Based on the decomposition of mica group minerals and the formation of mullite detected through X-ray diffraction analysis, it is possible to conclude that the tuyeres operated at approximately 1,000℃ as, the mullite was detected on the outside of the tuyeres.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.162-177
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• 2020

Research was conducted to characterize the copper production and smelting process with 11 copper smelting by-products (copper slag and copper crucible) excavated from the NA and LA areas at the Gwanbuk-ri archeological site in Buyeo. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and Raman microspectroscopy were employed in the analysis. The research results reveal that the copper slag from Gwanbuk-ri contained silicate oxide, magnetite, fayalite, and delafossite, which are typical characteristics of crucible slag and refined slag. The outward appearance and microstructure of the slag were grouped as follows: 1. glassy matrix + Cu prill, 2. glassy matrix + Cu prill + magnetite, 3. silicate mineral matrix + Cu prill, 4. crystalline (delafossite and magnetite) + amorphous (Cu prill), 5. magnetite + fayalite, and 6. slag from slag. The copper slags from Guanbuk-ri were found to contain residues of impurities such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, SO₄, P₂O₅, Ag₂O, and Sb₂O₃ in their microstructure, and, in some cases, it was confirmed that copper, tin and lead are alloys. These results indicate that refining of intermediate copper(including impurities) and refining of alloys of copper(including impurities) - tin and refining of copper(including impurities) - tin - lead took place during the copper production process at Gwanbuk-ri, Buyeo.