Analysis of Smelting Relics from Lidegui Site of Daye City

Via X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD), smelting relics from Lidegui site were analyzed. The results from physical test show that the melting temperature of the slag from Lidegui site is higher than 1280℃. The results reveal that the copper content in the slag from Lidegui site is far lower than that in the copper slag, but iron content is very high, which is similar to that of blooms in early Iron Age of Europe and Rome Period. The results from the phase analysis indicate that no much difference in mineral phases between Lidigui slag and the copper slag, except some copper oxide minerals and sulphide minerals found in Lidigui slag. Combined with analysis results for other smelting relics, it could be ascertained that Lidigui is a site of smelting iron. And the mixture of slag and iron ores in the site indicates that slag was recycled.