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From mine to microbe - the Neolithic copper melting crucibles from Switzerland

Rehren, T; (2009) From mine to microbe - the Neolithic copper melting crucibles from Switzerland. In: Shortland, A and Freestone, I and Rehren, T, (eds.) From Mine to Microscope - Studies in Honour of Mike Tite. (pp. 155-162). Oxbow Books: Oxford, United Kingdom. Green open access

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Abstract

The occurrence of chalcopyrite in several late Neolithic crucibles from NW Switzerland and SW Germany has been variously interpreted as indicating evidence for local copper smelting, or being due to post-depositional phenomena. This study uses optical microscopy and a discussion based on textural and micro-tratigraphical arguments to demonstrate that chalcopyrite is a late formation and not indicative of copper smelting. This has significant implications for the technological and archaeological interpetation of these finds, but also illustrates the potential of image-based studies in science-based archaeology.

Type: Book chapter
Title: From mine to microbe - the Neolithic copper melting crucibles from Switzerland
ISBN-13: 9781842172599
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Pfyn, Horgen, crucible, copper, neolithic.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Institute of Archaeology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Institute of Archaeology > Institute of Archaeology Gordon Square
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/93693
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