In Medieval Africa, A Unique Process for Purifying Gold With Glass

In summary, scientists have recently discovered that medieval Africans had a unique process for purifying gold using glass. This process was first uncovered by archaeologist Sam Nixon in 2005 when he found gold droplets and fragments of glass in ancient coin molds in Mali. Through their research, Marc Walton and his team were able to recreate this process by using recycled glass materials and local sand. This discovery has shed new light on the advanced metallurgical practices of medieval African societies and has opened up a new field of exploration for ancient African metallurgy.
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Medieval Africans Had a Unique Process for Purifying Gold With Glass
And scientists in Illinois have recreated it.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/medieval-african-gold

Mansa Musa, emperor of Mali from 1312 to 1337, was widely known for his vast wealth in the form of gold deposits.

When Sam Nixon, an archaeologist with the British Museum, excavated ancient coin molds in Tadmekka, Mali, in 2005, it triggered a several-year exploration of how medieval Africans purified the gold they were using for their currency. Nixon had found little droplets of highly refined gold left over in the molds—which have been dated to the 11th century—as well as curious fragments of glass. Now scientists have recreated the advanced process behind the purification method they used then.

“This is the first time in the archaeological record that we saw glass being used to be able to refine gold,” says Marc Walton, codirector of the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts, a collaboration between Northwestern University and the Art Institute of Chicago. “The glass appeared to be material that was [actually] recycled glass materials … so it really shows the industriousness and creativity of the craftsmen, who understood the properties of gold and glass enough to [use them for] this process of refining gold.” The recycled glass materials were remnants of broken vessels. Tadmekka was a town right in the middle of the trans-Saharan caravan route, so Nixon uncovered several types of material culture that had to do with trade, namely molds for “bald dinar,” or coins that hadn’t been stamped with the name of a mint (or a 10th-century equivalent of one).

Marc Walton's team at the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts, a collaboration between Northwestern University and the Art Institute of Chicago, "bought gold dust from a chemical supply company, then mixed it with local Lake Michigan sand, and then made their own synthetic glass.” They heated the mixture, the minerals dissolved in the sand, which left behind the gold.”
 
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Their experiment was successful and replicated the ancient method used. This discovery is providing a new understanding of the advanced metallurgical practices of medieval African societies. The discovery has also “opened up a new field of exploration” for ancient African metallurgy, according to Walton.
 

What is the unique process for purifying gold with glass in Medieval Africa?

The unique process for purifying gold with glass in Medieval Africa is known as the "Midas touch." It involves heating a mixture of gold, sand, and glass in a clay crucible until the glass melts and forms a layer on top of the gold. This process separates impurities from the gold and results in a purer form of gold.

How did the people in Medieval Africa discover this process?

The exact origins of this process are unknown, but it is believed that the people in Medieval Africa discovered it through experimentation and trial and error. They may have observed that glass had a purifying effect on gold when melted together and refined the process over time.

What materials were used in the purification process?

The purification process in Medieval Africa involved using a clay crucible, gold, sand, and glass. The clay crucible was used to hold the materials while they were heated, and the sand and glass were added to the gold to help remove impurities.

What were the benefits of using this unique process?

The unique process of purifying gold with glass in Medieval Africa had several benefits. It allowed for a more efficient and effective way of purifying gold, resulting in a higher quality product. It also required fewer resources and was less time-consuming compared to other methods of gold purification.

Did this process have any impact on the economy of Medieval Africa?

Yes, the process of purifying gold with glass had a significant impact on the economy of Medieval Africa. It allowed for the production of higher quality gold, which was highly valued and used for trade. This helped to boost the economy and increase the wealth of those who were able to produce and trade purified gold.

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