Medieval African Gold Purification: A Recycled Glass Secret
2025-06-06
The discovery of 11th-century gold coin molds in Mali revealed a sophisticated gold purification technique used by medieval West Africans. Unlike the cupellation method used by Europeans, these artisans ingeniously employed recycled glass and local materials. By melting the impure gold with glass, the impurities dissolved while the inert gold remained, resulting in highly refined metal. Scientists have replicated this process, highlighting the ingenuity and advanced metallurgical knowledge of medieval African craftsmen.
Tech
metallurgy