In this paper, a solution is proposed to answer the problematic issue of the type of fuel used in the early Middle Kingdom smelting furnaces at Ayn Soukhna based on a strict experimental protocol. The protocol was repeated 17 times, for a total of approx. 1500 h of experimental work. In correspondence with the archaeological data obtained at Ayn Soukhna, the combined use of fresh acacia and donkey dung as fuel for smelting is proposed; the use of charcoal for smelting can be excluded.

A holistic evaluation of experimental and archaeological evidence has shown that a combination of fresh wood and donkey dung was most likely the standard fuel choice at Middle Kingdom Ayn Soukhna. This is evidenced by the compatibility of results from experimental smelting using wood and donkey dung in terms of furnace lining impact and colorimetry, slag typology and deposition, ash and charcoal distribution, and raw copper shape and size. The use of charcoal systematically results in incompatible smelting results, as does smelting without donkey dung. In addition to green wood, donkey dung is required to regulate the temperature distribution inside the furnaces and to increase the production of copper prills. Green wood creates a favourable atmosphere for the smelting of copper carbonate ore. It heats the lining of the column less, allowing the furnaces to be reused over several campaigns. The dual fuel use of green wood and donkey dung, however, has resulted in the best agreement between experimental smelting results and corresponding archaeological evidence.

This archaeometallurgical research in the Nile Valley is carried out by a team composed of Georges Verly, in charge of archaeology and experimental archaeology, and Frederik Rademakers, in charge of archaeometry, as well as numerous master students and a Maître d’art, Hugues Paridans. Dialogue and interdisciplinarity are the assets of this project, dictating equality between its members, representing the sum of ideas and debates, building all research protocols and publications.

在本文中，根据严格的实验方案，提出了一种解决方案，以解决Ayn Soukhna的中古王国早期冶炼炉中使用的燃料类型的问题。重复该方案17次，总共约10分钟。1500小时的实验工作。根据在Ayn Soukhna获得的考古数据，提议将新鲜的金合欢和驴粪混合用作冶炼燃料。可以排除使用木炭进行冶炼。

对实验和考古证据的整体评估表明，新鲜木材和驴粪的组合最有可能成为中东王国Ayn Soukhna的标准燃料选择。用木材和驴粪进行实验熔炼的结果在炉衬冲击和比色，炉渣类型和沉积，灰分和木炭分布以及粗铜的形状和尺寸方面的兼容性证明了这一点。木炭的使用会系统地导致不相容的熔炼结果，就像没有驴粪的熔炼一样。除了生木之外，还需要驴粪来调节炉子内部的温度分布并增加铜粒的产量。绿木为碳酸铜矿的冶炼创造了良好的气氛。它较少加热色谱柱的衬里，允许炉子在多个活动中重复使用。然而，绿色木材和驴粪的双重燃料使用已在实验冶炼结果和相应的考古证据之间取得了最佳的一致性。

在尼罗河谷这archaeometallurgical研究是由乔治Verly组成的小组进行，负责考古和实验考古，和弗雷德里克Rademakers，分管科技考古学，以及众多的硕士生和领班艺术品，雨果Paridans 。对话和跨学科性是该项目的资产，要求其成员之间平等，代表思想和辩论的总和，并建立所有研究方案和出版物。