Ancient Slag Use
During the Bronze Age of the Mediterranean there were a vast number of differential metallurgical processes in use. A slag by-product of such workings was a colorful, glassy, vitreous material found on the surfaces of slag from ancient copper foundries. It was primarily blue or green and was formerly chipped away and melted down to make glassware products and jewelry. It was also ground into powder to add to glazes for use in ceramics. Some of the earliest such uses for the by-products of slag have been found in ancient Egypt.
Historically, the re-smelting of iron ore slag was common practice, as improved smelting techniques permitted greater iron yields--in some case exceeding that which was originally achieved. During the early 20th century, iron ore slag was also ground to a powder and used to make 'Agate Glass', also known as 'Slag Glass'.
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Famous quotes containing the words ancient and/or slag:
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—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“These foliaceous heaps lie along the bank like the slag of a furnace, showing that Nature is “in full blast” within.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)