Bell beaker copper use in central Europe : a distinctive tradition? : a re-evaluation of the composition of copper artefacts and its effects on the properties of the metal
This thesis is concerned with the manufacture of copper artefacts by the users of Bell Beaker pottery in the Eastern Bell Beaker group in central Europe, and addresses the question: did these metalworkers have distinct metallurgical abilities, techniques and preferences that set them apart from contemporary and earlier metal-using groups in the same region? Can we talk of a 'Bell Beaker' metallurgical tradition? Despite the long history of research into the so-called Bell Beaker phenomenon, there has been no definite answer to this question. The composition of copper artefacts is influenced by the production process and the composition of the ore, and so two artefacts that share a similar composition reflect a metallurgical similarity. Artefact composition is defined by variations in trace element impurities that are contained in the copper. Trace elements, however, do not only point to metallurgical processes: they also affect the physical and chemical properties of the metal. Consequently, this thesis aims to clarify whether the distribution of the Bell Beaker phenomenon throughout central Europe and its dissociation from other archaeologically visible groups there is associated with the use of a specific
Merkl, Matthias Bernd
Bell beaker ; copper ; trace element analysis ; metallurgy ; Chalcolithic ; central Europe
Bell beaker copper use in central Europe : a distinctive tradition? : a re-evaluation of the composition of copper artefacts and its effects on the properties of the metal. This thesis is concerned with the manufacture of copper artefacts by the users of Bell Beaker pottery in the Eastern Bell Beaker group in central Europe, and addresses the question: did these metalworkers have distinct metallurgical abilities, techniques and preferences that set them apart from contemporary and earlier metal-using groups in the same region? Can we talk of a 'Bell Beaker' metallurgical tradition? Despite the long history of research into the so-called Bell Beaker phenomenon, there has been no definite answer to this question. The composition of copper artefacts is influenced by the production process and the composition of the ore, and so two artefacts that share a similar composition reflect a metallurgical similarity. Artefact composition is defined by variations in trace element impurities that are contained in the copper. Trace elements, however, do not only point to metallurgical processes: they also affect the physical and chemical properties of the metal. Consequently, this thesis aims to clarify whether the distribution of the Bell Beaker phenomenon throughout central Europe and its dissociation from other archaeologically visible groups there is associated with the use of a specific
bell beaker copper use central_europe distinctive tradition re_evaluation composition copper artefacts effect property metal concerned manufacture copper artefacts user bell beaker pottery eastern bell beaker group central_europe address_question distinct metallurgical ability technique preference set_apart contemporary early metal using group region talk bell beaker metallurgical tradition despite long_history so_called bell beaker phenomenon definite answer_question composition copper artefact influence production_process composition ore artefact share_similar composition reflect metallurgical similarity artefact composition define variation trace_element contain copper trace_element however point metallurgical process also affect physical_chemical property metal consequently aim_clarify whether distribution bell beaker phenomenon throughout central_europe dissociation archaeologically_visible group associate use specific