Lead isotopes in West African copper alloys

Willett, Frank; Sayre, Edward V.

doi:10.3213/1612-1651-10063

Cited by 31 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…; Killick ). A comparison of the Niari Basin copper ores with North and West African copper ores discussed by Willet and Sayre () shows that these differ significantly in their lead isotopes, and should be easily distinguishable in provenance studies (see the OSI).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…However, arguments from chemical composition and chronology suggest that the Igbo Ukwu copper was local, reflecting ores hitherto not characterized (Goucher et al 1976;Killick 2016). A comparison of the Niari Basin copper ores with North and West African copper ores discussed by Willet and Sayre (2006) shows that these differ significantly in their lead isotopes, and should be easily distinguishable in provenance studies (see the OSI).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For Igbo Ukwu and Ife, Willet and Sayre (2006) conclude that some of the early West African castings may have been produced using local copper ores, although many made use of copper from northern Africa obtained through trans-Saharan trade, and of copper imported from Europe. However, arguments from chemical composition and chronology suggest that the Igbo Ukwu copper was local, reflecting ores hitherto not characterized (Goucher et al 1976;Killick 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although ancient copper samples from Kansanshi (Zambia) and Kipushi (DRC) were chemically analysed by Bisson et al (1978), the only lead isotope (LI) data currently available for Central Africa relates to the geological deposits of the Central African Copperbelt (see the 'Results: ores' section), while no data is available for any Central African archaeological copper remains. More broadly, the limited existing LI data of archaeological African copper comes from West Africa (Craddock and Hook 1995;Goucher et al 1976;Willet and Sayre 2006) and South Africa (Molofsky et al 2014). The first data set covers West African…”

Section: Tervuren 3080 Belgiummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More broadly, the limited existing LI data of archaeological African copper comes from West Africa (Craddock and Hook ; Goucher et al . ; Willet and Sayre ) and South Africa (Molofsky et al . ).…”

Section: Introduction: Copper In Central Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Copper Production and Trade in the Niari Basin (Republic of Congo) During the 13th to 19th Centuries ce: Chemical and Lead Isotope Characterization

et al. 2018

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In Central Africa, copper ore occurs in only a few locations and copper appears to have been a scarce commodity in the past—contrary to iron, which is attested more widely and earlier in the sub‐Saharan archaeological record. This paper presents the first detailed characterization of an early copper‐working region in Central Africa. Located along the southern border of the Republic of the Congo, the Niari Basin has revealed several copper production sites ranging from the 13th to the 19th century ce. The evidence, specifically in the Mindouli, Mfouati and Boko‐Songho areas, includes various production remains as well as different types of copper ingots and artefacts. In the context of a broader copper technology study, the chemical and lead isotope characteristics of the ore deposits in this region are presented. The results of the chemical and lead isotope analyses of copper objects and production remains from archaeological sites are then interpreted against this geological background data, with an emphasis on copper provenance features. Combining these results with archaeological and historical evidence for regional metallurgical activity, new and significant insights are given on the production of copper in the Niari Basin, emphasizing the potential of this research for forthcoming work on copper use and trade in a wider Central African context.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tervuren 3080 Belgiummentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction: Copper In Central Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Copper Production and Trade in the Niari Basin (Republic of Congo) During the 13th to 19th Centuries ce: Chemical and Lead Isotope Characterization

et al. 2018

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Igbo-Ukwu at 50: A Symposium on Recent Archaeological Research and Analysis

McIntosh

2022

Afr Archaeol Rev

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correspondence with Pamela Jane Smith, who has been instrumental in re-invigorating investigations of Igbo-Ukwu materials curated in museums and in developing funding for new field studies at Igbo-Ukwu in a context of community archaeology and capacity building. I am grateful to her and to all the participants in the session. Thanks to David Killick for helpful comments on a draft of this article.

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