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On the Chemical composition of prehistoric Greek copper-based artefacts from Crete

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2013

Helen Mangou  and
Panayiotis V. Ioannou
Helen Mangou
Affiliation:
Chemistry Laboratory National Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece
Panayiotis V. Ioannou
Affiliation:
Department of ChemistryUniversity of Patras, Patras, Greece
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Abstract

110 copper-based objects from various sites on Crete, covering the whole of the Bronze Age, were analysed for their chemical content (12 elements) by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The results indicate that during the Early Bronze Age arsenical copper was mainly used while in the Middle Bronze Age copper, arsenical copper, and arsenical bronze were in use with about equal frequency. During the Late Bronze Age normal bronze was used when required. The copper technology in each era was the same at all of the sites examined. Metallographic examination of four triangular daggers of the Early Bronze Age showed that they had been cast. In the case of three Late Bronze Age hydriae, the component sheets had been hammered and annealed.

Type
Articles
Information
Annual of the British School at Athens , Volume 93 , November 1998 , pp. 91 - 102
Copyright
Copyright © The Council, British School at Athens 1998

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