[Carsten Troelsgaard]

Carsten Troelsgaard asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi All

Thank you for "Naked Scientist"

I've just listened in on your August 09 podcast with archeological dating by rehydrated ceramics. As both an educated ceramist and sedimentary geologist .. I was all ears!

Clays as 'hydrated alumino-silicates' makes some sense, that a piece of ceramics rehydrates. But .. ceramics and bricks contains different amounts (and types) of clay, next to silicious sands, organic material, oxides etc. It's not obvious to me how these parts are considered in calculating the amount of rehydration.

I mean .. wouldn't the rehydration be a function of original clay-contents?   

Kindly
Carsten Troelsgaard 

What do you think?

[Make it Lady]

I used to work in a sand quarry and we would test clay content of the sand as this would effect what it could be used for. I think it is directly proportional to its rehydration so getting the clay content right is important especially with ceramic facades that weather. I didn't hear this broadcast so can't comment further.