08-30-2003, 04:11 AM
Greetings Aitor!<br>
<br>
Thanks for the interest! I cannot say for sure what is mixed in with the clay but it would have to have been neutral or khaki color. Because of this I am not sure that oxidized lead is the answer. Then again is there a type of oxidized lead that can be made neutral in color? When I bought my first plumbata a few years ago I thought that the clay was petrified due to some kind of unique conditions. Then I bought my second one two years ago and it was the same so I figured that this must have been a brand of plumbata. Then last year I found a third plumbata (on e bay) and it looked like it was the same type. I called my friend that collects ancient weapons and he snagged it. Once again the body was clay like in appearance and texture but hard like a rock and with a bit of weight. I have heard that it wasn't until recent times that is was discovered how the Romans made their brand of cement. It could be that the Roman Army was using some kind of terra cotta mortar to make their plumbata. Perhaps the reason for this was as I have speculated (impact frag), or that it was quicker and cheaper, or that is was for all those reasons!<br>
<br>
All My Best!<br>
<br>
Dave <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Thanks for the interest! I cannot say for sure what is mixed in with the clay but it would have to have been neutral or khaki color. Because of this I am not sure that oxidized lead is the answer. Then again is there a type of oxidized lead that can be made neutral in color? When I bought my first plumbata a few years ago I thought that the clay was petrified due to some kind of unique conditions. Then I bought my second one two years ago and it was the same so I figured that this must have been a brand of plumbata. Then last year I found a third plumbata (on e bay) and it looked like it was the same type. I called my friend that collects ancient weapons and he snagged it. Once again the body was clay like in appearance and texture but hard like a rock and with a bit of weight. I have heard that it wasn't until recent times that is was discovered how the Romans made their brand of cement. It could be that the Roman Army was using some kind of terra cotta mortar to make their plumbata. Perhaps the reason for this was as I have speculated (impact frag), or that it was quicker and cheaper, or that is was for all those reasons!<br>
<br>
All My Best!<br>
<br>
Dave <p></p><i></i>