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Prehistoric copper in Bulgaria: its composition and provenance
Eurasia antiqua : Zeitschrift fur Archaologie Eurasiens / Deutsches Archaologisches Institut, Eurasien-Abteilung • 3 • Published In 1997 • Pages: 41-180
By: Pernicka, Ernest, Begemann, F., Schmitt-Strecker, S., Todorova, Khenrieta, Kuleff, I..
Abstract
Pernicka et al. examined modern copper sources to determine their trace elements and then compared those findings to trace elements in prehistoric copper artifacts to determine sources and to reconstruct early production and exchange systems. Copper artifacts from the Early Chalcolithic through the Early Bronze Age from Bulgaria and some from Serbia and Montenegro are examined. Only data pertaining to the Late Chalcolithic through the Transitional Periods were indexed for Outline of Material Cultures (OCM) codes. Pernicka et al. conclude that a variety of copper sources were used during the Late Chalcolithic, that mixing of metals through remelting was not common, and that artifacts were produced at different sites. The authors speculate, 'the Cucuteni-Tripolye metal from Moldavia … may derive from the Medni Rid area [and not] Ai Bunar [as previously assumed.] This distribution pattern follows the same trade routes as e.g. those of Spondylus shells, namely along the Black Sea coast and the lower Danube.' (page 141).
- HRAF PubDate
- 2002
- Region
- Europe
- Sub Region
- Southeastern Europe
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- Analyst
- Sarah Berry ; 2001
- Field Date
- no date
- Coverage Date
- Late Chalcolithic Period through the Final Chalcolithic Period
- Coverage Place
- Bulgaria and Serbia and Montenegro
- Notes
- Ernest Pernicka, F. Begemann, S. Schmitt-Strecker, H. Todorova and I Kuleff
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-178)
- LCSH
- Copper Age--Europe, eastern