Researching the history and possible origins of soap making through practical exploration. Part of my MSc in Experimental Archaeology at Exeter University.
UK
Joined October 2021
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I do love it when an experiment confirms something you've thought was the case for a long time but hadn't gotten round to testing logically. I'm getting much closer to being able to suggest where, when and how the first 'real' soap was observed. Now to write a paper about it!
In the latest installment of 'why you should never eat anything in Sally's kitchen without checking whether it will kill you first' aren't these pretty! These are crystallising out of my current experiment. Probably potassium (bi??)carbonate, but I'm not quite sure yet!
New video just gone live over on my YouTube channel! youtu.be/B5KLWPSMot8
(or search for Sally Pointer on YouTube if that's easier!)
Even straight after adding water to ashes the solution is undisputably strongly alkaline. This is because as well as carbon, wood ash contains lots of potassium oxides & hydroxides. Their alkalinity is what makes it a degreaser & when strong enough, an ingredient for soapmaking.
