Earth and Space Science Project Abstract
HISTORY IGNITED: REFURBISHMENT AND ANALYSIS OF A 19TH CENTURY LIME KILN IN MAQUOKETA, IOWA
Presenters:
Sarah Howe, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; warpgirl@imsa.edu
Joseph Langan, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; danjoe47@imsa.edu
Julie Lauffenburger, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; julz003@imsa.edu
Mentor:
David Gossman, Gossman Consulting, Inc., 45W962 Plank Road, Hampshire, IL 60140
Abstract:
As part of the Archaeology mentorship in Maquoketa, Iowa, we have dedicated this year to the study of a (relatively) small lime kiln on Mr. Gossman’s property. The kiln is a reworked extension of a natural cave in a limestone cliff face, and was used in the production of construction mortar by 19th century American settlers in the region. Around 1870, regional industrial-scale kilns came into operation, rendering unnecessary the smaller local sites still found in the area. During the past year, we re-ignited the kiln for a full eight hours, collected the batch of limestone we placed inside the kiln for a full eight hours, collected the batch of limestone we placed inside the kiln beforehand, and chemically analyzed the rocks to see how much anhydrous lime we converted from the original limestone. This research helps to give insight into the construction methods of early American settlers, as well as the practicalities and dilemmas they may have faced.