Bronze Alloys from Canaan During the Middle Bronze Age

Middle Bronze Age metallurgy in the Levant: evidence from the weapons of Byblos

“…This new period is accompanied by the appearance of new types of weapons, such as fenestrated axes and socketed spearheads, displaying new shapes and hafting systems (Gernez, 2007). According to previous studies such as Moorey and Schweizer (1972), Rosenfeld et al (1997) and Philip et al (2003), the frequent use of bronze (CuSn) in this area began in this period or slightly before (Early Bronze Age IV). The large-scale introduction of new alloy recipes and weapons makes the Middle Bronze Age an interesting period for the study of the Levant metallurgy.…”

“…When they undergo cold working, their hardness becomes considerably higher than that of copper although it generally remains inferior to 8e12 wt% Sn bronze alloys. The use of copper alloys containing important amounts of arsenic shows continuity of late third millennium Levantine practices (Philip, 1991;Philip et al, 2003;Rosenfeld et al, 1997;Shalev, 2000). However, these results reveal a relative difference in alloying practices with some well documented contemporary sites such as Tell el-Dab'a (Philip, 2006: 211), where arsenical copper was apparently less used and the arsenic amount were generally lower than those of Byblos.…”

“…6) where, apart from the double-ribbed daggers and large socketed spearheads, most of the weapon types could be made of arsenical copper or bronze. Previous studies such as Rosenfeld et al (1997) related the use of bronze in the Middle Bronze Age with "artistic, sophisticated figurines". Therefore, it is most likely that this recipe was used to denote the prestigious trait of these weapons by raising their cost and using a particular colour to indicate their value (Moorey, 1994: 253;Philip, 1991, Philip et al, 2003.…”

“…The large-scale introduction of new alloy recipes and weapons makes the Middle Bronze Age an interesting period for the study of the Levant metallurgy. Studies investigating the metallurgical know-how used in the production of copper base alloy objects from Middle Bronze Age Levant were mostly concentrated on Palestine and Transjordan (Khalil, 1980;Philip, 1991, Philip et al, 2003Rosenfeld et al, 1997;Shalev, 2000Shalev, , 2009. In contrast with this substantial body of data concerning southern Levant metallurgy, only few studies (Moorey and Schweizer, 1972;Philip, 1991) have investigated northern Levant.…”

Copper Alloys From the ‘Enot Shuni Cemetery and the Origins of Bronze Metallurgy in the Eb Iv - Mb Ii Levant

“…This raw copper would be mixed with imported tin and arsenical copper ingots, probably transported via donkey caravan, to cast final products. There is limited evidence of finished bronze artefacts being imported from Anatolia (for varying opinions, see Dever and Tadmor 1976; Pettinato 1981; Merkel and Dever 1989; Philip 1989; Rothenberg and Shaw 1990; Rothenberg and Glass 1992; Haiman 1996; Rosenfeld et al . 1997; Richard 2006).…”