Characterization of the iron sand collected from the foot of Mt. Aburayama (Fukuoka, Japan) for estimating the origin of archeological iron artifacts from northern Kyushu

The iron sand around Mt. Aburayama (Fukuoka, Japan), where various ancient iron-making sites are located, was investigated to establish a research infrastructure for identification of the raw material used in the archeological iron artifacts excavated from this area. Iron sand samples were magnetically collected from the rivers flowing in this area and nearby outcrop soil. The samples were qualitatively analyzed using Mossbauer spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometry to identify the minerals present inside them. Additionally, the elemental concentrations in these samples were determined using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The iron sand samples were characterized by comparing them with those from other Japanese regions using scatter diagrams developed based on the elemental concentrations in the samples. The scatter diagrams showed clear distinctions between the iron sand samples from the Mt. Aburayama area and other Japanese regions. These diagrams may enable us to clarify the relationship between the iron sand and archeological iron artifacts found in the vicinity of Mt. Aburayama.