Bronze Age Metalwork

Grave 50 contained three simple annular tin rings with open ends, two of which were in fragments (Fig. 279; Chap. 11.2.11). The fragments were analysed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and afterwards with a multi collector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) in order to determine the tin isotope composition. The same procedure was followed with the patinas. The chemical compositions of the samples are summarised in Table 67 and show the rings to consist of almost pure tin. Uncorroded metal was used for the isotope analyses. The results were compared to data of bronze and tin artefacts from other sites (Fig. 280: a) and to tin ores from the Erzgebirge and Great Britain (Fig. 280: b). One ring is made of tin, which is consistent with tin in bronzes of the Únětice culture, while the other ring appears to have resorted to another tin base. Nevertheless, the sources for both objects could well have been situated in the deposits of the Erzgebirge, even if unequivocal determination of the origin is presently not possible. For more information, see Chapter 13.2.

The first comprehensive assessment of non-ferrous metalworking craft in later British prehistory within a social and technological framework. The Social Context of Technology explores non-ferrous metalworking in Britain and Ireland during the Bronze and Iron Ages (c. 2500 BC to 1st century AD). Bronze-working dominates the evidence, though the crafting of other non-ferrous metals-including gold, silver, tin and lead-is also considered. Metalwork has long played a central role in accounts of European later prehistory. Metals were important for making functional tools, and elaborate decorated objects that were symbols of prestige. Metalwork could be treated in special or ritualised ways, by being accumulated in large hoards or placed in rivers or bogs. But who made these objects? Prehistoric smiths have been portrayed by some as prosaic technicians, and by others as mystical figures akin to magicians. They have been seen both as independent, travelling 'entrepreneurs', and as the dependents of elite patrons. Hitherto, these competing models have not been tested through a comprehensive assessment of the archaeological evidence for metalworking. This volume fills that gap, with analysis focused on metalworking tools and waste, such as crucibles, moulds, casting debris and smithing implements. The find contexts of these objects are examined, both to identify places where metalworking occurred, and to investigate the cultural practices behind the deposition of metalworking debris. The key questions are: what was the social context of this craft, and what was its ideological significance? How did this vary regionally and change over time? As well as elucidating a key aspect of later prehistoric life in Britain and Ireland, this important examination by leading scholars contributes to broader debates on material culture and the social role of craft.

In the present article we present an updated overview concerning Middle Bronze Age sites in the Crişuri Rivers Basin (2000/1900–1600/1500 BC). The basis of this study is the project entitled ‘Living in the Bronze Age Tell Settlements. A study of Settlement Archaeology at the Eastern Frontier of the Carpathian Basin’ that was carried out between 2013–2016. First of all, a lot of field research was been involved in our attempt to identify the sites on the ground. Our goal was to clarify the confusion encountered in literature but also in classical topographic surveys. At this stage of the research we identified 65 OFCC settlements, of which 18 are multilayered. Funerary discoveries are represented by eight sites comprising more than 60 individuals. In 24 sites, bronze, gold and metallurgy-related objects were discovered, which consisted of 180 objects. Accounting for all the sites with Middle Bronze Age discoveries has resulted in identifying 76 spots with OFCC discoveries in the Crişuri Rivers Basin. Taking into account the stage of Bronze Age archaeological research carried out until now in the Crişuri Rivers Basin, it is apparent that we are far from having a clear picture. But by comparing the current state of research with the information known at the end of the last century, it is obvious that progress has been made.

This article describes the discovery of a Type Cardiff castle Early Bronze Age (c. 2000-1800 cal BC) axe of insular origin (possibly NW Ireland or Scotland) in the northwestern Netherlands (province of Friesland/Frisia).  It show distinct lozenge-shaped facets on the sides. Its findspot and an analysis of other Bronze Age artefacts from Friesland suggests that much more of Frisia was inhabitable during the Bronze Age than previously assumed. Clearly the Holocene peat cover was not as extensive and higher-patches of dryland must have remained.

In the present article we present an updated overview concerning Middle Bronze Age sites in the Crișuri Rivers Basin. The basis of this study is the project entitled “Living in the Bronze Age Tell Settlements. A study of Settlement Archaeology at the Eastern Frontier of the Carpathian Basin” that has been carried out between 2013–2016.
First of all, a lot of field research was been involved in our attempt to identify the sites on the ground. Our goal was to clarify the confusion encountered in literature but also in classical topographic surveys. At this stage of research we identified 65 OFCC settlements, of which 18 are multilayered. Funerary discoveries are represented by eight sites comprising more than 60 individuals. In 24 sites, bronze, gold and metallurgy-related objects were discovered, which consisted of 180 objects.
Accounting all the sites with Middle Bronze Age discoveries has as result 76 sites with OFCC discoveries in the Crișuri Rivers Basin. Taking into account the stage of Bronze Age archaeological research carried out until now in Crișuri Rivers Basin is clearly that we are far from a clear picture. But by comparing the current state of research with the information known at the end of the last century, it is obvious the progress made.

Un fragment de lingot de l’habitat protohistorique de Cuciurpula (Serra-di-Scopamène/Sorbollano, Corse-du-Sud)
Les fouilles de la structure 26 du site protohistorique de Cuciurpula (Serra-di-Scopamène/Sorbollano, Corse-du-Sud) ont livré un fragment de lingot dans un niveau précédant la construction de cette habitation, attribué au Bronze final 3 (IXe s. av. J.-C). Cet objet présente une section trapézoïdale et un bord extérieur concave. Il peut notamment être rapproché des lingots-barres ou en forme de cône tronqué. Les analyses de composition élémentaires ont permis d'identifier un alliage cuivre-plomb, avec une présence majoritaire de plomb. Cette composition singulière pose la question de son utilisation dans l’enrichissement des alliages cuivreux en plomb, une pratique perçue à la fin de l’âge du Bronze et au début de l’âge du Fer en particulier en Europe atlantique. Cet objet témoigne donc d’une métallurgie réalisée au sein de l’espace villageois, mais en marge des habitations, à proximité d’une structure interprétée comme un four. Il enrichit les travaux récents mettant en avant le dynamisme de la production métallurgique en Corse à l’âge du Bronze final. Cependant, les analyses isotopiques du plomb contenu dans ce lingot suggèrent une provenance de la région d’Iglesias dans le sud-ouest de la Sardaigne. Il constitue donc un nouveau témoignage des relations étroites existant entre les deux îles et de l’insertion de la Corse dans les réseaux de transferts de savoir-faire et de matière première caractérisant l’âge du Bronze en Méditerranée.

A fragment of ingot from the protohistoric site of Cuciurpula (Serra-di-Scopamène/Sorbollano, Corse-du-Sud)
The excavations of structure 26 of the protohistoric site of Cuciurpula (Serra-di-Scopamène/Sorbollano, Corse-du-Sud) have revealed a fragment of ingot in a level preceding the construction of this dwelling, attributed to the Late Bronze Age 3 (9th century BC). This object has a trapezoidal section and a concave outer edge. In particular, it can be brought closer to bar-ingots or truncated conical ones. Elemental compositional analyses identified a copper-lead alloy, with a majority presence of lead. This singular composition raises the question of its use in the enrichment of copper alloys with lead, a practice perceived at the end of the Bronze Age and at the beginning of the Iron Age, particularly in Atlantic Europe. This object thus testifies of a metallurgy carried out within the village space, but in margin of the dwellings, near a structure interpreted as an oven. It enriches recent work highlighting the dynamism of metallurgical production in Corsica in the final Bronze Age. However, isotopic analyses of the lead contained in this ingot suggest a provenance from the Iglesias region in southwest Sardinia. It thus constitutes a new testimony of the close relations existing between the two islands and of Corsica's integration into the networks of know-how and raw material transfer characterizing the Bronze Age in the Mediterranean.

Frammento di lingotto proveniente dal sito protostorico di Cuciurpula (Serra-di-Scopamène/Sorbollano, Corse-du-Sud).
Gli scavi della struttura 26 del sito protostorico di Cuciurpula (Serra-di-Scopamène/Sorbollano, Corse-du-Sud) hanno rivelato un frammento di lingotto in un livello precedente alla costruzione di questa abitazione, attribuito al Bronzo finale 3 (IX secolo a.C.). Questo oggetto ha una sezione trapezoidale e un bordo esterno concavo. Può essere avvicinato ai lingotti a forma di barre o troncoconici. Le analisi compositive elementari hanno individuato una lega rame-piombo, con una presenza maggioritaria di piombo. Questa singolare composizione solleva la questione del suo uso nell'arricchimento delle leghe di rame con il piombo, una pratica percepita alla fine dell'età del bronzo e all'inizio dell'età del ferro, in particolare nell'Europa atlantica. Questo oggetto testimonia così una metallurgia effettuata all'interno dello spazio del villaggio, ma a margine delle abitazioni, in prossimità di una struttura interpretata come un forno. Arricchisce i lavori recenti che mettono in luce il dinamismo della produzione metallurgica in Corsica nell'ultima età del bronzo. Tuttavia, le analisi isotopiche del piombo contenuto in questo lingotto suggeriscono una provenienza dalla regione di Iglesias nel sud-ovest della Sardegna. Essa costituisce quindi una nuova testimonianza delle strette relazioni esistenti tra le due isole e dell'integrazione della Corsica nelle reti di trasferimento di tecnologie e materie prime che caratterizzano l'età del bronzo nel Mediterraneo.