Kean miltos: the well-known iron oxides of antiquity

Photos-Jones, E. , Cottier, A., Hall, A.J. and Mendoni, L.G. (1997) Kean miltos: the well-known iron oxides of antiquity. Annual of the British School at Athens, 92, pp. 359-371. (doi: 10.1017/S0068245400016737)

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Abstract

The island of Kea in the North Cyclades was well known in antiquity for its miltos, a naturally occurring red iron oxide valued for its colour and wide range of applications. By combining geological field work, physico-chemical analytical techniques, simulation (heating) experiments as well as simple laboratory tests, this paper describes the study of Kean iron oxides in an attempt to characterize this material which is still largely elusive in the archaeological record. The present work corroborates previous observations about the superior quality of some Kean iron oxides. Furthermore, it puts forward the hypothesis that miltos may have been considered an industrial mineral, and as such may have been used as an umbrella term for a variety of materials including mineralogically distinct purple as well as red iron oxides.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Photos-Jones, Dr Effie and Hall, Dr Allan
Authors: Photos-Jones, E., Cottier, A., Hall, A.J., and Mendoni, L.G.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
Journal Name:Annual of the British School at Athens
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0068-2454
ISSN (Online):2045-2403

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