Remarks on a bronze implement, and bones of the ox and dog, found in a bed of undisturbed gravel at kinleith, near Currie, Mid-Lothian / by John Alex. Smith.

Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on a bronze implement, and bones of the ox and dog, found in a bed of undisturbed gravel at kinleith, near Currie, Mid-Lothian / by John Alex. Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    therefore, of their antiquity. I also wished information as to the hardness of the metal of which this instrument was composed, and its capability of having once had a fine and sharp edge. Dr Macadam filed a portion of the metal from the back of the straight stalk or handle, where it has since unfortunately been broken; and has kindly favoured me with the following notes, giving the result of his examination :— I have examined the bronze implement found at Kinleith, near Currie, and find its composition to be :— Copper (with trace of lead), . . 92'97 Tin, 7-03 100-00 It is therefore a true bronze, with less than the average proportion of tin. The metal was hard under the file, and it might have had an edge when new. I bave no doubt the rust is a double carbonate and oxide of copper, but I do not know if we can connect the characteristic appearance of this rust with any peculiarity in the composition of the alloy. I would be more inclined to consider that the circumstances in which the implement was placed in regard to moisture and atmospheric action, would play an important part in the formation of the various coloured tints.
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