Copper shaft-hole axes and early metallurgy in south-eastern Europe : an integrated approach
Although the copper axes with central shaft-hole from south-eastern Europe have a long history of research, they have not been studied on a transnational basis since the 1960s. What has also been missing is an integrated or holistic approach, trying to use as many methods as possible and better understand the production, use and context of these enigmatic objects. This present research therefore approaches the axes from different angles. A database was compiled in order to find answers on questions such as the patterns of distribution, context, fragmentation and deformation of axes. For the distribution of axes in general as well as different attributes like fragmentation and typology, the content of the database was imported into GIS software and analysed. Aspects of production were considered through experimental archaeology, metallographic analysis and a re-discovered axe blank with missing shafthole. Especially the missing moulds make it difficult to fully understand the production sequence. The typology was re-evaluated and modified to ensure comparability across modern national boundaries. The context and background was developed through a thorough review of the literature and combined with theoretical
Heeb, Julia Maria
Archaeology ; Copper Age ; South-Eastern Europe ; Experimental Archaeology ; Archaeometallurgy ; Axe-adzes ; Hammer-axes ; Metallography ; GIS
Copper shaft-hole axes and early metallurgy in south-eastern Europe : an integrated approach. Although the copper axes with central shaft-hole from south-eastern Europe have a long history of research, they have not been studied on a transnational basis since the 1960s. What has also been missing is an integrated or holistic approach, trying to use as many methods as possible and better understand the production, use and context of these enigmatic objects. This present research therefore approaches the axes from different angles. A database was compiled in order to find answers on questions such as the patterns of distribution, context, fragmentation and deformation of axes. For the distribution of axes in general as well as different attributes like fragmentation and typology, the content of the database was imported into GIS software and analysed. Aspects of production were considered through experimental archaeology, metallographic analysis and a re-discovered axe blank with missing shafthole. Especially the missing moulds make it difficult to fully understand the production sequence. The typology was re-evaluated and modified to ensure comparability across modern national boundaries. The context and background was developed through a thorough review of the literature and combined with theoretical
copper shaft hole early metallurgy south_eastern europe integrate approach although copper axes central shaft hole south_eastern europe long_history study transnational basis since also miss integrate holistic try use many method possible good production_use context enigmatic object present therefore approach axes different angle database compile order_answer_question pattern_distribution context fragmentation distribution general well different attribute like fragmentation typology content database import gis software analyse aspects production consider experimental_archaeology analysis discovered axe blank miss especially miss mould make_difficult fully production_sequence typology re_evaluated modified ensure comparability across modern national boundary context background develop thorough review_literature combine theoretical