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The stable isotopic composition of historical black powder applicable to a J apanese T anegashima matchlock
Author(s) -
Mizota C.,
Yamanaka T.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/arcm.12157
Subject(s) - charcoal , sulfur , composition (language) , nitrogen , carbon fibers , carbon black , chemistry , stable isotope ratio , isotope analysis , materials science , geology , physics , organic chemistry , art , composite material , natural rubber , literature , oceanography , quantum mechanics , composite number
The objective of the present study is to employ stable isotope ratio measurements (δ 15 N, δ 34 S and δ 13 C) of the nitrogen, sulphur and carbon in black powder (a mixture of saltpetre, native sulphur and charcoal) as a means of source identification. A sum total of 20 samples of historical black powder applicable to matchlocks were collected from six locations throughout J apan. This classic type of hand gun prevailed up to the introduction of the modern rifles, with quicker loading and higher efficiency, in the mid‐to‐late 19th century. δ 13 C charcoal carbon values showed the predominant use of C 3 plants as a source material. Except for a few unusual samples with a probable exotic origin, δ 15 N saltpetre nitrogen values were largely consistent with those of domestic products using classical biotechnology. The isotopic analysis for native sulphur (δ 34 S native sulphur ) indicates a complicated marketing route.