Archaeologica.org

So Kowalski is definite about hand axes is he, there's nothing like going out on a limb is there?

When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. "
Arthur C Clarke.

So Kowalski is definite about hand axes is he, there's nothing like going out on a limb is there?

Kowalski really needs to hang this on his office door:

I still think that the most obvious retort of the Club will be that this iron technology is the result of a party of Europeans who were forced to use local resources to make repairs to something.

That being said, I could understand if you were finding iron bands (used as reinforcement} or rivets, nails, even weapons. But why would a group in such a position be making ornamental objects or iron plates? How big is that plate-thingy anyway?

If your speaking of Iron Artifact 3, Min, it's 6" X 3.5". It "pings" as a combination of iron, silver and zinc. All three displayed above ping this strange combination. Steve Kissin said he would perform SEM analyses on a bit of one the specimens to determine exactly what the composition is. None of the pieces show any sign of use-wear.

Sorry for the delay...I got back in from a long morning of checking all the different sites out, and made that last response as I was eating lunch. When I was done....zzzzzzzzz...gettin' old bro.

Sneaking into the bear's den to tweak his tail, Charlie?

You know I'm half rascal.

Fantasy 101:

They decided to make ornamental objects as gifts to the natives since they were a kinder, gentler group of Europeans?

That's frickin' hilarious, Cog!

So Kowalski is definite about hand axes is he, there's nothing like going out on a limb is there?

When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. "
Arthur C Clarke.

Any scientist worth his salt should know to never, ever use a negative as an absolute. I remember Cog telling me about the statement, but when I actually ran across it, and he had it posted so prominently on his site, I about fell out of my chair. I thought he might have been joking at first, like we do here on the forum. Apparently that's not the case.

None of the pieces show any sign of use-wear.

What about rust?

gettin' old bro.

Tell me about it.

What about rust?

Only superficially. They must have been in quite the anaerobic environment until very recently...or somehow they’re rust-proof.

The anti-corrosive properties of zinc are apparently well known.



http://www.atotech.com/start.php3?cl_my_id=845529

The Zinc Iron alloy represents an economical coating for effective corrosion protection in combination with aesthetic appeal. Atotech zinc iron processes use cyanide-free alkaline electrolytes with our innovative chemical additives. They deposit a constant Fe alloy over the entire current density range, which results in uniform coating properties. The alloy produced provides superior protection against ‘white rust’ corrosion compared to pure zinc coatings.

Not sure where the silver fits in.

That quote Charley is one of Clarkes three laws. There was an intense, though friendly, rivalry between Clarke and Isaac Asimov, and when Asimov produced his 'three laws of robotics', which spawned a whole host of spin offs, Clarke responded, tongue in cheek, with his own.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_three_laws

The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.

The Club hates that one.

Clarke responded, tongue in cheek, with his own.

Nuggets of wisdom.

I'm a bit puzzled about the link on Zinc, Silver, Iron, Min. Silver is found as an ore in combination with these elements, it's called Sphalerite.
Zinc is widely used as a rust proofer, the process, over here, is called Galvanization.

The Club hates that one.

Yup. Anything that makes good horse-sense is too easy for them. Or many are bookworms, with little common sense.