Craft practice and resource perception in the Southern Urals during the Middle Bronze Age
The thesis characterises metallurgical production at two Middle Bronze Age, Sintashta communities in the Southern Urals and presents a new model for the organisation of metal production in the region. Current models argue for intensive and centralised production that contributed to social complexity and the development of long-range exchange networks. Middle Bronze Age groups are characterised as complex warrior chiefdoms or even proto-states. The thesis examines these interpretations through the detailed characterisation of metallurgical debris. Particular attention is given to the identification of local practices at two Sintashta settlements and to characterising specific technological choices. An integrated methodology is employed, which incorporates fieldwork, an extensive study of metallurgical debris and a programme of experimental archaeology. The results demonstrate that the scale and organisation of primary copper metallurgy is greatly misrepresented in the published literature. While some aspects of production practice were shared among communities, specifically smelting technique, other aspects, such as the procurement of resources, were locally articulated. This has important implications for
Pitman, Derek
Craft practice and resource perception in the Southern Urals during the Middle Bronze Age. The thesis characterises metallurgical production at two Middle Bronze Age, Sintashta communities in the Southern Urals and presents a new model for the organisation of metal production in the region. Current models argue for intensive and centralised production that contributed to social complexity and the development of long-range exchange networks. Middle Bronze Age groups are characterised as complex warrior chiefdoms or even proto-states. The thesis examines these interpretations through the detailed characterisation of metallurgical debris. Particular attention is given to the identification of local practices at two Sintashta settlements and to characterising specific technological choices. An integrated methodology is employed, which incorporates fieldwork, an extensive study of metallurgical debris and a programme of experimental archaeology. The results demonstrate that the scale and organisation of primary copper metallurgy is greatly misrepresented in the published literature. While some aspects of production practice were shared among communities, specifically smelting technique, other aspects, such as the procurement of resources, were locally articulated. This has important implications for
craft_practice resource perception southern middle_bronze_age characterise metallurgical production middle_bronze_age communities southern present_new model organisation metal_production region current_model argue intensive centralise production contribute social_complexity development long range exchange_network middle_bronze_age group characterise complex warrior even proto states examines interpretation detailed characterisation metallurgical_debris particular_attention_give identification local practice settlement characterise specific technological_choice integrate employed incorporate fieldwork extensive study metallurgical_debris programme experimental_archaeology scale organisation primary copper metallurgy greatly misrepresent publish literature aspect production practice share among community specifically smelt technique aspect procurement resource locally articulate important_implication