Physical barriers, cultural connections : a reconsideration of the metal flow at the beginning of the metal age in the Alps
This thesis considers the early copper and copper-alloy metallurgy of the entire Circum-Alpine region. It introduces a new approach to the interpretation of chemical composition data sets, which has been applied to a comprehensive regional database for the first time. An extensive use of GIS has been applied to investigate the role of topography in the distribution of metal and to undertake spatial and geostastical analysis that may highlight patterns of distribution of some specific key compositional element. The Circum-Alpine Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age show some distinctively different patterns of metal use, which can be interpreted through changes in mining and social choices. But there are also some signs of continuity, in particular those which respect the use of major landscape features such as watersheds and river systems. Interestingly, the Alpine range does not act as a north-south barrier, as major differences in composition tend to appear on an east-west axis. Conversely, the river system seems to have a key role in the movement of metal. Geostastical analyses demonstrate the presence of a remelting process, applicable also in the case of ingots; evidence that opens new and interesting questions
Perucchetti, Laura
Metallurgy in archaeology--Alps Region ; Bronze age--Alps Region ; Copper age--Alps Region ; Metal-work ; Prehistoric--Alps Region ; Excavations (Archaeology)--Alps Region ; Alps Region--Antiquities
Physical barriers, cultural connections : a reconsideration of the metal flow at the beginning of the metal age in the Alps. This thesis considers the early copper and copper-alloy metallurgy of the entire Circum-Alpine region. It introduces a new approach to the interpretation of chemical composition data sets, which has been applied to a comprehensive regional database for the first time. An extensive use of GIS has been applied to investigate the role of topography in the distribution of metal and to undertake spatial and geostastical analysis that may highlight patterns of distribution of some specific key compositional element. The Circum-Alpine Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age show some distinctively different patterns of metal use, which can be interpreted through changes in mining and social choices. But there are also some signs of continuity, in particular those which respect the use of major landscape features such as watersheds and river systems. Interestingly, the Alpine range does not act as a north-south barrier, as major differences in composition tend to appear on an east-west axis. Conversely, the river system seems to have a key role in the movement of metal. Geostastical analyses demonstrate the presence of a remelting process, applicable also in the case of ingots; evidence that opens new and interesting questions
physical barrier cultural connection reconsideration metal flow begin metal age considers early copper_copper alloy metallurgy entire region introduces new_interpretation chemical_composition data_set apply comprehensive regional database first_time extensive_use gis apply investigate_role topography distribution metal undertake spatial analysis may highlight pattern_distribution specific key compositional element chalcolithic early_bronze_age show distinctively different_pattern metal use_interpret change mine social choice also sign continuity particular respect use major landscape_feature river system interestingly range act north_south barrier major difference composition tend appear east_west axis conversely river system seem key_role movement metal analysis presence process applicable also case ingot evidence open_new interesting question