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Testing the New World: early modern chemistry and mineral prospection at colonial Jamestown, 1607–1610

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Rehren, Thilo 
Straube, Beverly 
Martinón-Torres, Marcos 

Abstract

Abstract: The paper presents new research on an assemblage of metallurgical crucibles used in the assay of minerals at colonial Jamestown. The aim of the study is to explore the range of chemical operations carried out at the site of the first permanent British settlement in America, for which little is known in the documents. The results show that the colonists used high-quality Hessian crucibles to perform tests on different types of complex polymetallic sulphides. This was done to (1) prospect for potential silver and copper ores and (2) to find suitable sources of zinc and tin to be alloyed into brass and bronze through cementation with imported copper offcuts. This study makes a relevant contribution to the growing field of the archaeology of early chemistry and mineral prospection as well as the archaeology of early European colonies in the New World. In particular, material culture can shed fresh light on how European settlers reacted to the many challenges of a new and unfamiliar natural environment and how they tried to make sense and exploit it for financial profit.

Description

Keywords

Original Paper, Archaeometallurgy, Jamestown, Fire assay, Colonial archaeology, Early modern

Journal Title

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1866-9557
1866-9565

Volume Title

11

Publisher

Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Sponsorship
Arts and Humanities Research Council (1738300)