Slags from excavations of the archaeological monument - of the settlement of Kobylikha (Nenets autonomous district)

The results of studies of slag from excavations of the archaeological monument of the settlement of Kobylikha (Nenets Autonomous District) are presented. The analytical studies were based on optical and scanning electron microscopy and spectroscopic methods. Our detailed mineralogical and geochemical studies resulted in determining siliceous-ferruginous composition of slags with impurities of aluminum, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Concentrations of Cu, Pb, Mg, Ni, Ti, Cr, V impurity elements are not large. According to the chemical composition, the viscosity and basicity of the melt were evaluated. The viscosity index indicates the fluidity of the melt. The basicity coefficient in the studied slags can be attributed to the group of acidic slags. Microprobe studies revealed the predominance of fayalite, wustite, iron-siliceous glass and reduced iron. The conducted studies allowed concluding on the use of a single ore from a single source. It is possible to assume the use of oxide easy-to-mine iron ores. Melting was carried out in a furnace at fairly high temperatures in the range of 1200-1400 oC and using fluxes. The slag cooled down rather slowly and directly in the furnace. Probably, the melting lasted for a long time. In the settlement of Kobylikha, metallurgical production had an average scale using simple technological schemes.