Reconstruction of Bronze Age copper smelting, experiments based on archaeological evidence from Timna, Israel
Using both simulation and reconstruction experiments, this research investigates the archaeo-rnetallurgical evidence for copper smelting during the Late Bronze/Early Iron Age at Timna, Israel. Historical and ethnographic descriptions of copper smelting are examined in order to suggest how the ancient furnace remains may have been operated. A review of previous copper smelting experiments is presented. Six campaigns of smelting experiments have been completed to evaluate better the major operational variables. The emphasis of this research was the duplication of' the ancient metallurgical products using appropriate materials and techniques. The furnace dimensions were based on the archaeological remains from Timna Site 2. Arrangements of one, two and three tuyeres were tested. Several types of manually operated bellows were compared. Molten slag tapped from the furnace was made to exhibit structures similar to those found at Timna. The copper produced from the smelting experiments contained a high proportion of iron. Refining was necessary to approach the chemical composition and physical appearance of ancient copper specimens. Further experiments were conducted to cast piano-convex, bar and oxhide-shaped copper
Merkel, John Frederick
Archaeology
Reconstruction of Bronze Age copper smelting, experiments based on archaeological evidence from Timna, Israel. Using both simulation and reconstruction experiments, this research investigates the archaeo-rnetallurgical evidence for copper smelting during the Late Bronze/Early Iron Age at Timna, Israel. Historical and ethnographic descriptions of copper smelting are examined in order to suggest how the ancient furnace remains may have been operated. A review of previous copper smelting experiments is presented. Six campaigns of smelting experiments have been completed to evaluate better the major operational variables. The emphasis of this research was the duplication of' the ancient metallurgical products using appropriate materials and techniques. The furnace dimensions were based on the archaeological remains from Timna Site 2. Arrangements of one, two and three tuyeres were tested. Several types of manually operated bellows were compared. Molten slag tapped from the furnace was made to exhibit structures similar to those found at Timna. The copper produced from the smelting experiments contained a high proportion of iron. Refining was necessary to approach the chemical composition and physical appearance of ancient copper specimens. Further experiments were conducted to cast piano-convex, bar and oxhide-shaped copper
reconstruction bronze_age copper_smelting base archaeological_evidence israel using simulation reconstruction investigate archaeo evidence copper smelt late_bronze_early_iron age israel historical ethnographic description copper_smelting examine order suggest ancient furnace remain may operate review_previous copper_smelting present campaign smelt complete evaluate well major operational variable emphasis ancient metallurgical product use appropriate material_technique furnace dimension base archaeological_remains site two_three test several type manually operate compare slag tap furnace make exhibit structure similar find copper produce smelt contain high_proportion iron refining necessary chemical_composition physical_appearance ancient copper specimen conduct cast bar shaped copper