A curious clinker

Julian Henderson, Robert Janaway, Julian Richards

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper investigates a substance found in some Anglo-Saxon cremation urns which has previously been described as "hair slag". The results of a series of visual and physical examinations are described. These show that it is highly siliceous and, therefore, unlikely to be derived from human hair. A number of alternative sources are considered and the mechanisms operating within the pyre are discussed. The most abundant source of silica in the pyre environment is the sandy substrate which may have been combined with material from the pyre during combustion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)353-365
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Archaeological Science
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 1987
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anglo-saxon
  • clinker
  • cremation
  • hair
  • scanning electron microscopy
  • slag
  • x-ray diffraction
  • x-ray fluorescence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Archaeology
  • Archaeology

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