2016 Volume 65 Issue 9 Pages 386-389
In 2014, a cast iron lump was excavated from the precinct of Tōdaiji temple. We investigated the similarity of the excavated cast iron lump and cast iron bathtub in the Ōyuya (bath house), Tōdaiji temple. Cu concentration and the ratio of Cu/Fe were used to compare their similarity. On the basis of the Cu/Fe ratio, we have estimated that both cast iron materials have different compositions. Moreover, XRD analysis showed that the rust piece of the cast iron bathtub contained a considerable amount of β-FeOOH (Akaganeite), which is only formed in the presence of Cl‒. β-FeOOH was also found in the metallic parts of the bathtub sample.