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On the Chemical Composition of Prehistoric Greek copper-based artefacts from the Aegean region1

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 Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece
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Abstract

Thirty-nine copper-based objects from the Aegean region of Greece, covering the Late Neolithic, Early and Late Bronze Ages, but excluding the Middle Bronze Age, were analysed for their chemical content (twelve elements) by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results show that there was a gradual shift in copper metallurgy from pure copper (Late Neolithic), to arsenical copper (Early Bronze Age), to bronze (Late Bronze Age). The results tend to indicate that the same type of copper metallurgy existed throughout the Aegean in each period.

Type
Articles
Information
Annual of the British School at Athens , Volume 92 , November 1997 , pp. 59 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © The Council, British School at Athens 1997

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