ARCHAEOMETRIC STUDY OF SPHERICAL CONES FROM EXCAVATION 200 OF BOLGAR SETTLEMENT

Abstract

This paper studied the 26 fragments of the spheroconical vessels from the materials of the Bolgar settlement (P. 200 research 2014, under the leadership of M. V. Savickogo and A. G. Sitdikova). In the analytical sample included vessels from the cultural layers of the settlement, mainly of the late Golden Horde period (the middle of XIV – beginning of XV centuries). The inner, middle and outer
layers of ceramic fragments were investigated for chemical composition by emission spectral analysis and mass spectrometry. According to the basic composition of the samples were divided into three groups, one artifact has a completely diff erent composition, which indicates a special origin of the vessel. Interpretation of the analytical data showed elevated mercury levels in the middle and inner layers for most fragments. For the same samples, there is an inverse correlation between mercury and
arsenic. According to the literature, alchemists used arsenic compounds in experiments with mercury to produce the "philosopher's stone". That may explain the inverse correlation are recorded. In several fragments, an increased content of silver was recorded, which may also indicate alchemical experiments.