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'.
Read more about this topic: Slag
Famous quotes containing the words ancient and/or slag:
“Today, as you know, I am famous and very rich. But when I am alone with myself, I haven’t the courage to consider myself an artist, in the great and ancient sense of that word ... I am only a public entertainer, who understands his age.”
—Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)
“On their slag heap, these children
Wear skins peeped through by bones and spectacles of steel
With mended glass, like bottle bits in slag.”
—Stephen Spender (1909–1995)