Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
POVOLZHSKAYA ARKHEOLOGIA (THE VOLGA RIVER REGION ARCHAEOLOGY), cilt.4, sa.54, ss.161-182, 2025 (Scopus)
This study presents the results of archaeometric analyses conducted on four metallurgical
slag samples recovered from settlements 1 and 6 of the Akbauyr complex in the Kazakh Altai
dated to the Early Iron Age. The elemental composition of the samples was established using
a combination of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
(SEM-EDS) and X-ray fl uorescence (XRF) analysis. Mineralogical phases were identifi ed
using powder X-ray difraction (XRD). In addition to copper slag, two samples are of
particular signifi cance due to their high iron content (about 80-90%) and the identifi cation
of mineral phases such as magnetite, as well as associations of wüstite and magnetite. The
presence of metallic iron and the absence of notable copper impurities in these slags suggest
the intentional use of iron ores, allowing these samples to be classifi ed as bloomery slags.
The fi ndings provide new insights into early metallurgical practices and contribute to the
broader understanding of iron-smelting technologies in the Altai region during the Early Iron
Age.