Davey, CJ;
Santarelli, B;
Rehren, T;
(2021)
Egyptian Middle Kingdom copper: Analysis of a crucible from Buhen in the Petrie Museum.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
, 36
, Article 102859. 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102859.
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Abstract
The study of a well-preserved crucible fragment from the Middle Kingdom Egyptian fortress in Buhen in lower Nubia revealed the unexpected presence of numerous prills of very arsenic- and nickel-rich coper alloy in what looks like a smelting slag. Based on optical and scanning electron microscopy on a polished section, this paper discusses the potential metallurgical process that was carried out in this Middle Kingdom Egyptian type of crucible. Strongly reducing conditions preserved in the sample taken from near the low-sitting spout of the vessel indicate that it was likely used for smelting a very rich secondary copper-arsenic ore, rather than for the more oxidising refining of raw copper, or simple casting of copper-arsenic alloy. However, the evidence is not unambiguous, and these alternative interpretations are also discussed, considering the chronology and geographical context of the fortress near a known copper deposit in what was then the southern border of pharaonic Egypt.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Egyptian Middle Kingdom copper: Analysis of a crucible from Buhen in the Petrie Museum |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102859 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102859 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Crucible, Metallurgy, Middle Kingdom, Buhen, Copper-arsenic alloy, Microanalysis |
| 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/10124084 |
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