The first sample under examination was small. It measured approximately 17 x 14mm and consisted of a fragment of limestone to which was attached a deposit with a mottled brown coloration. This deposit was plainly Iron rich as it responded well to a magnetic field. It adhered tenaciously to the limestone and, at its thickest point, it appeared to have flowed over the substrate - see figs 1 & 2. An initial examination failed to find the presence of any binding agent. Also, the deposit was not simply the dried remains of a water based slurry. Instead, it had the appearance of having been fused to the substrate.

In the following pages, microscopic evidence is given to support the view that very high temperatures were involved.