Page 2. Examples of the
Author’s Activities
Processes
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Distillation: Making a replica of a medieval
distillation apparatus (campana). Investigation of the distilling process
using a campana. Experiment:
A campana in action. A very
drinkable cherry liquor was produced. |
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Glassmaking: Explaining glass furnaces of all
times, producing glass according to old recipies, making coloured and
colourless glass, studying the different cooling processes etc. Experiment:
Making frozen glass using bone-ashes. This experiment has been performed in
order to prove that it is not possible to use bone-ashes as a calcium source
for making transparent normal glass. You can find this error in some archaeological
publications, even in papers of high renown. |
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Smelting: Explanation of lead, silver, and
copper production processes |
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Work on written sources
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Edition
of a medieval manuscript dealing with alchemistic apparatus of the 14th century. Two
examples of drawings in the manuscript: an apparatus for descending
distillation and an apparatus for sublimation. |
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Correct
interpretation of
Pliny’s glass recipe (see page 4). |
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Analyzing
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Identification
of residues in
medieval pharmaceutical vessels. Four lead
glazed vessels, found in a late medieval well, containing remains of zinc
ointment, a calcium plaster and an arsenic- lead plaster. |
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Identification
of the organic and inorganic components of the paint on a leaden Zeus votive figure
of the Roman Imperial Period. |
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Verification of unusual/hitherto unknown
vessels
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Example: A
vessel excavated under a late medieval house: interpreted as an inset in a
water bath. It holds the destillation vessel, a cucurbita, in an
upright position.
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Interpretation of archaeological finds, e. g. ceramics,
glass vessels, and what they have been used for. |
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All the
examples given here and others have been published.