Railroad-related archaeology question

[markdz]

Hi... I have an unusual question and hope someone in your community might have some insight into it.

I'm an amateur archaeologist and have been studying a site located near a long-time railroad facility in northeastern PA. I've found some strange things and was wondering if they could be related to railroading (from the 1800s to the present):

1.) dozens of small blobs of melted gray metal, looking like pewter, lead, or a similar alloy (these do not look heavily patinated)

2.) dozens of short, cut lengths of copper or brass wire, in various gauges (mostly somewhat patinated)

3.) many irregularly broken and/or cut pieces of thin sheet copper or brass, including some cut into designs such as triangles or crescents (mostly heavily patinated)

4.) several crude iron tools that look like chisels or awls, likely handmade (very rusty)

It's very confusing to me because this site is "multicomponent," meaning it was occupied and used by many groups of people. I'm trying to determine what might be "most likely" related to the railroad versus what might be related to earlier peoples.

 

(Some specifics:

In the 1700s, Native Americans lived in the area. During this time, native people often collected European materials (usually sheet brass/copper and scrap iron) to make into tools and decorations.

There may also have been a blacksmith in the area in the late 1700s/early 1800s.

And from the mid-1800s to the present there has been a strong railroad presence.)

My apologies if this question is totally off-base, but I didn't know where else to get qualified opinions on it. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Mark

[BaltACD]

Pictures would help identify what you have found.

[seppburgh2]

The first item sounds like slag or spillage from a foundry. Pictures are a plus.  

[seppburgh2]

One other idea is to contact the local historical society and pick their brain.  Some libraires have strong local history archives.  Old maps and tax records may yield some clues.  Good luck, keep us posted.

[markdz]

Good point. I wasn't able to post pictures here so used another forum... here is the link:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/451231-mix-finds-multicomponent-site.html

 

 

[markdz]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I've done a lot of research on the area so do know, more or less, what happened there. It's just the artifacts themselves that are puzzling me.

[ACY Tom]

I'm curious about the small blobs of gray metal.  If they are spherical and of a generally similar size, they could be taconite, a refined form of iron ore that came into use around the 1950's.  These could have leaked out of hopper cars that were carrying ore to a steel mill.  Can you find a metallurgy student at your school who can help to identify the composition of the various pieces of metal you have found?

It might help if you can be more specific as to the location and/or the railroad line in question.

Tom

[markdz]

Thanks for the reply, Tom. No, the gray metal is in irregular shapes, not spherical. IMO it is drippings or cuttings. I'd like to have some of the metal analyzed in a lab but haven't gotten to that yet.

The site is located near Scranton in northeast PA. The railroad company was Conrail and is now the Reading and Northern. I'm not sure off hand what specific train lines used it.

[DS4-4-1000]

The gray metal may be Babbit which was a very common bearing material and is still used in some applications.

[markdz]

DS4-4-1000

The gray metal may be Babbit which was a very common bearing material and is still used in some applications.

 

Thanks for the tip... it's as good a possibility as any. I'll look into it.