Ancient ceramic soldering and brazing torch

[Cassius Tullius]

A ceramic artifact that had been previously surmised to be a cheese mold has been re-interpreted as a kind of Bunsen Burner. It looks like an inverted cup or funnel; large hole on the bottom, small hole on top with small holes punched out all across its body. When placed over a dish containing a suitable fuel that has been lit, a pencil thin flame emerges fro the top. placing a similar vessel over it acts to intensify the flame.

The vessel seems to act as an educter. The rising flame which convects straight up is sufficient to create a suction that draws air through the holes around the flame. The increased supply of oxygen to the flame provides for more complete combustion of the fuel being burned so you get a hotter fire.

A craftsperson could arrange something like this on a tabletop or a workbench.

http://www.archaeologyonline.org/Bunsen ... 20Page.htm

http://www.archaeologyonline.co.uk/Disc ... ge%202.htm

[Caballo]

Amazing...laudes!

[Robert Vermaat]

Nice article Angus!

[Iagoba]

hock:

It´s funny...how yo can find those uses to dobious things...

I still remember my technology teacher lowering the A+ of some of my project for using "not adecuate tools for the work". if it worked, what´s the matter? :lol:

[richsc]

It would seem to be worth reexamining some of the jewelery or hordes to see if evidence of this technique shows up.

[M. Demetrius]

How could they have thought this thing to be a milk boiler?

Makes me wonder about some of other items' interpretations.