Copper smelting in the early Bronze Age southern Aegean : a technological and contextual analysis
This thesis is a study of copper-smelting technology in the southern Aegean during the Early Bronze Age. The aim is to develop a framework and methodology that can help promote the integration of archaeological and archaometallurgical research in this area. To investigate the social dynamics of early metal technology, a three-fold approach is employed. Firstly, an analytical methodology for the reconstruction of prehistoric smelting processes is developed and used for the study of metallurgical remains from the Early Bronze Age site of Chrysokamino in northeastern Crete. Secondly, a comparative analysis of copper-smelting techniques in the Early Bronze Age southern Aegean is undertaken, shedding light to the range of alternative technical strategies employed in the various tasks of the production sequence. Finally, a contextual analysis of coppersmelting activities, their spatial organisation and contextual associations, helps to reveal some of the social and political underpinnings of technological choices in early copper production in the Aegean.
Catapotis, Michalis
Copper smelting in the early Bronze Age southern Aegean : a technological and contextual analysis. This thesis is a study of copper-smelting technology in the southern Aegean during the Early Bronze Age. The aim is to develop a framework and methodology that can help promote the integration of archaeological and archaometallurgical research in this area. To investigate the social dynamics of early metal technology, a three-fold approach is employed. Firstly, an analytical methodology for the reconstruction of prehistoric smelting processes is developed and used for the study of metallurgical remains from the Early Bronze Age site of Chrysokamino in northeastern Crete. Secondly, a comparative analysis of copper-smelting techniques in the Early Bronze Age southern Aegean is undertaken, shedding light to the range of alternative technical strategies employed in the various tasks of the production sequence. Finally, a contextual analysis of coppersmelting activities, their spatial organisation and contextual associations, helps to reveal some of the social and political underpinnings of technological choices in early copper production in the Aegean.
copper smelt early_bronze age southern aegean technological contextual_analysis study copper_smelting technology southern_aegean early_bronze_age aim_develop framework help promote integration archaeological area investigate social_dynamic early metal technology three_fold employed firstly analytical reconstruction prehistoric smelt_process develop use study metallurgical remain early_bronze_age site northeastern crete secondly comparative_analysis copper_smelting technique early_bronze age southern aegean undertaken shed_light range alternative technical strategy_employ various task production_sequence finally contextual_analysis activity spatial_organisation contextual association help reveal social_political underpinnings technological_choice early copper_production aegean