10-27-2019, 03:12 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-27-2019, 11:47 PM by Dan Howard.)
Iron melts at over 1500 deg C. Pyroclastic lava flows rarely exceed 1200 deg C. Pompeii was buried in tephra ash, not lava, which has an even lower temperature. Analysis reckons that there was nothing over 300 deg C in the city and nothing over 350 deg C on the outskirts. Based on the available data, it is irrational to conclude that the Vesuvius eruption could have melted iron in Pompeii.
We still use smelter slag for road base today. The only difference is that modern smelters are far more efficient so the resultant slag contains negligible amounts of iron.
We still use smelter slag for road base today. The only difference is that modern smelters are far more efficient so the resultant slag contains negligible amounts of iron.
Author: Bronze Age Military Equipment, Pen & Sword Books
