A CHALCOLITHIC MACE HEAD FROM THE NEGEV, ISRAEL: TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS

S. SHALEV, Y. GOREN, T. E. LEVY, J. P. NORTHOVER

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An interdisciplinary case study of the role of technology in ancient society is presented here based on a single copper object from the beginning of metallurgy in Israel during the late fifth to fourth millennium BC. This research is based on a combination of typological, chronological and technological analyses. The mace head is made of copper alloyed with arsenic and antitmony, cast in a ‘lost wax’ technique over a stone core. The metallurgical, metallographic and petrographic analyses not only help reconstruct the production technology but also shed light on fundamental questions concerning the origin, ore selection and function of this sophisticated type of metal production in prehistoric society.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)63-71
Number of pages9
JournalArchaeometry
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CHALCOLITHIC
  • COPPER
  • CORE
  • ELECTRON PROBE MICROANALYSIS
  • FABRICATION
  • ISRAEL
  • MACE HEAD
  • METALLOGRAPHIC MICROSCOPY
  • NEGEV
  • PETROGRAPHIC MICROSCOPY

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • History
  • Archaeology

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