Radioactivity and element composition of ancient metallurgical works slags

The aims of this paper are as follows: to determine the specific activity of the uranium-thorium natural radionuclides, of 40K and to determine the element content in the samples of the slags taken in the tailings located within the V-VII century dated Bashkyzylsai river and its tributary water areas in the Chatkalsky chain foothills and in the tributaries of the XI-XII century dated Akhangaran-Karabau river and Karasai river within the Kuraminski chain foothills. The radionuclide composition of the specimens was determined by the γ-spectrometry means, while the element composition was determined making use of the instrumental neutron activation and the X-ray spectrum analyses. The data analysis enables to make the following conclusions: 226Ra makes the major contribution into the radioactivity of the samples; the specific activity of the natural 40K and 232Th in the majority of the samples is lower the traceable limits; within the experimental error the activity of 40K and of 232Th in the samples on conversion to K and Th content is in line with the relevant analytical data, the activity of 235U is in line with 235U/238U natural ratio; within the investigated samples the radioactive balance between 238U and 226Ra is violated and varies within 0.55 up to 0.9 limits