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Illustration of a pit for firing bones for bone meal |
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| Description |
Bones were used as fertilizer in England as early as 1653. ECHO featured ways to make a quality phosphate fertilizer from bones, called bone meal.
An inexpensive low-technology method of making bone meal is called "trench-firing." The meal is equal to the best quality steamed bone meal, which is often imported at high prices. |
| Primarily For
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Agriculture |
| Other Purposes
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Agriculture, Nutrition |
| Climate |
Dry/Arid, Temperate |
| Emphasis |
Communities, Individuals, Industries |
| Effort to Implement
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Simple |
| Maximum Cost |
$
25 |
| Why |
A fire is built in a trench a minimum of 60 cm (2 feet) deep. A grid is laid across a shelf dug some 15 cm (6 inches) below ground level along the trench, and bones are piled on top of the grid. This simple method ensures that large logs may be used for firing and that the heat is concentrated so that the required temperature is reached more quickly.
The firing process achieves three aims: (1) it sterilizes the bones; (2) it burns off all the fat, blood vessels, marrow etc.; (3) the "calcined" bones are so soft that they can be pounded easily with a mortar and pestle. Full Details at the link below. |
| URL(s) |
http://www.echotech.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=256&Itemid=281
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| Availability Limits |
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| Resources |
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| Email |
Withheld |
