XXI.—The Early Metallurgy of Silver and Lead: Part I., Lead

Abstract

The sources whence our knowledge of the early metallurgy of silver and lead, as of the other metals known to antiquity, is derived are two, distinct in character and differing greatly in the value and amount of their contributions. The first, and by far the most important, is the débris and other remains of the operations of the ancient metal workers which, from time to time, have been unearthed in many localities in Europe and "Western Asia, and in Egypt. The second lies in the records, more or less fanciful, given by classical authors of the technological processes and products of their times. It is needless to say that the information afforded by neither source is always definite in character or free from obscurity. As regards the remains, they are unfortunately too often fragmentary and incomplete, whilst the records are those of men not conversant with technical processes, and hence are full of errors of observation. The remains are, however, as a rule, more to be trusted than the records, and although no single find may admit of complete interpretation, yet, when several are collated the difficulties which they present individually disappear and their meaning is evident. They present us, moreover, with concrete evidence about which there can be no dispute, although there may be differences of opinion as to the deductions to be drawn from it.

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