Microscopic and chemical characterization of metal slags found at the Porta Paola excavation in Ferrara

Microscopic and chemical characterization of some metal slags from iron processing were carried out at the Laboratories of the Department of Physics and Earth Sciences (University of Ferrara). Samples were collected in the archaeological excavation of Porta Paola and Via Bologna in the city of Ferrara in August 2003, following the exceptional discovery of a boat for goods transport which involved the surrounding stratigraphic study. The analysis of these findings allowed to understand their chemical and mineralogical origin.