Coote, VJ; (1991) The ultratrace element geochemistry of tin ores and bronze using ICP-MS and the metals trade in prehistoric Thailand. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The geochemical variation of tin ore deposits is examined at both the genetic level and on a regional scale. The influence of tectonic, magmatic and geologic history on the distribution of tin deposits is discussed. Multielement and isotopic analysis of ultratrace elements in ores and metals, by Inductively Coupled Plasma Source Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), is used to determine those elements which may be used to characterise the tin component of archaeological bronzes from Thailand. The efficiency of ICP-MS for this work on tin ore provenancing is evaluated and the data analysed to provide information on the technology and trade in the early southeast asian metals industry. Documented information on the pre-industrial mining industry of Southeast Asia is examined together with the economic theory of small-scale mining and metals trade to present a scenario for the influence of an early metals industry on the culture of Thailand in the 1st millennium BC. This scenario is examined in the context of the analytical data presented and the current views of southeast asian archaeology and anthropology.

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