The Last Sample

As with the preceding samples, the fallen crop had also been coated with a ferrous deposit. A typical example was the seed-head depicted in the first page of this report.

The coating resembled that of the second sample in that it was fully oxidized and homogenous. No elemental iron was discernible. On close examination, Fig 11, it was clear that much of the coating was missing. Although the original coating had covered only one side of the seed-head, it had penetrated into, and filled, the gaps between the base of each seed and the central stalk. It had also penetrated under the glumes, the two outer bracts that cover each seed. Some fragments of the original coating still adhered tenuously to the outer surface of the glumes.

Some fragments of this outer coating were found in the wrapping that contained the sample. Fig 12 shows one such fragment. The very fine grain structure of the coating was noted. During deposition, this coating had acquired the impression of the epidermal layer of the glume.