Orientalizing Artifacts from Fraga dos Corvos Rock Shelter in North Portugal

Figueiredo, Elin; Senna-Martinez, João Carlos; Silva, R. J. C.; Araújo, M. Fátima

doi:10.1080/10426910902982508

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Most of these elements had previously been detected in the EDXRF analyses. Such elements have also been detected in copper artefacts from other Bronze Age Portuguese sites such as a bar fragment from Castro de Baiões (unpublished work) and two artefacts from Fraga dos Corvos site in Northern Portugal [37].…”

Section: Edxrf Micro-edxrf and Sem-eds Study Of The Gilded Copper Nailmentioning

confidence: 92%

Identification of ancient gilding technology and Late Bronze Age metallurgy by EDXRF, Micro-EDXRF, SEM-EDS and metallographic techniques

et al. 2010

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A combination of analytical techniques capable of elemental and microstructural characterisation was used for the identification of ancient gilding technology and bronze metallurgy. EDXRF, micro-EDXRF, SEM-EDS analysis and metallographic examinations were applied in the study of artefacts dating to the end of the second millennium BC from Crasto de São Romão in Central Portugal. Results report to the finding of an exceptional gilded copper nail among bronze artefacts with 9 wt.% to15 wt.% tin and minute other metallic impurities. Additionally, analysis of a crucible fragment points out for bronze production at the archaeological site. EDXRF and micro-EDXRF analysis made on the copper nail showed that it was gilded only on the front side of the head, and that the gold layer has been lost in the most exposed areas. SEM-EDS analysis showed that the gold layer has 5-8 µm in thickness and is covered with a thick corrosion layer. The gilding technique is discussed based on the gold layer composition and gold/copper substrate interface. So far, this object seems to be the first diffusion gilded artefact identified in the Portuguese territory dated to Late Bronze Age.

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Section: Edxrf Micro-edxrf and Sem-eds Study Of The Gilded Copper Nailmentioning

confidence: 92%

Identification of ancient gilding technology and Late Bronze Age metallurgy by EDXRF, Micro-EDXRF, SEM-EDS and metallographic techniques

et al. 2010

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show abstract

“…According to binary the Cu-Sn system equilibrium phase diagram, the maximum dissolution limit of Sn in Cu solid solution is 15.8 wt.% [22,35,36] and the α-copper phase would be the only phase in the microstructure of an alloy with up to 15% Sn when a homogenizing heat treatment, as annealing, is performed [37]. However, the common dissolution limit of the tin amount noticed in literature for tin bronze objects is 14 wt.% and it is rare to find a tin bronze with higher amount of tin with a homogenous the α-solid solution phase [22,42].…”

Section: Microstructurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…To remove this problem, the ancient metalworkers applied heat treatment (annealing) to return workability to the bronze piece. This heat treatment will improve the bronze mechanical properties because after mechanical work, a subsequent heat treatment would help to recover ductility, by promoting a recrystallization process [22,36,37]. In copper and its alloys, the heating temperature for annealing is 500-800°C [22].…”

Section: Microstructurementioning

confidence: 99%

Metallography and microstructure interpretation of some archaeological tin bronze vessels from Iran

Oudbashi

Davami

2014

Materials Characterization

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“…The thermomechanical work detected can be explained as a result of shaping and softening it for easier transport, handling and posterior cutting. There are evidences for use of copper during LBA to the manufacture of specific objects such as two rivets in Ria de Huelva (Rovira, 1995), a belt hook fragment from Fraga dos Corvos (Figueiredo et al, 2009), a cramp (possibly another belt hook fragment?) from Canedotes and a gilded nail in Castro de São Romão (Figueiredo et al, in press).…”

Section: Artefacts and Fragmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smelting and recycling evidences from the Late Bronze Age habitat site of Baiões (Viseu, Portugal)

Figueiredo

Silva

Senna-Martinez

et al. 2010

Journal of Archaeological Science

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a b s t r a c tMany aspects of bronze production during Late Bronze Age in Western Europe are so far unknown. In the present study selected artefact fragments and metallurgical debris, which include a slag fragment, from the emblematic Late Bronze Age habitat site of Castro da Senhora da Guia de Baiões (Viseu, Portugal) have been studied by optical microscopy, micro-EDXRF, SEM-EDS and XRD. Evidences were found for bronze production involving smelting and recycling. Compositional analysis showed that the artefacts are made of a bronze with 13 AE 3 wt.% Sn (average and one standard deviation) and a low impurity pattern, namely <0.1 wt.% Pb, being comparable with the composition of other bronzes from the same region (the Central Portuguese Beiras). This alloy is generally different from elsewhere Atlantic and Mediterranean bronzes, which show frequently slightly lower Sn contents and higher impurity patterns, namely Pb which is often present as an alloying element. The present study gives further support to early proposals suggesting the exploration of the Western Iberian tin resources during Late Bronze Age, and besides that, it indicates that metalworking and smelting could have been a commonplace activity requiring no specific facilities, being bronze produced at a domestic scale in this Western extreme of Europe.

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Orientalizing Artifacts from Fraga dos Corvos Rock Shelter in North Portugal

Cited by 15 publications

References 5 publications

Identification of ancient gilding technology and Late Bronze Age metallurgy by EDXRF, Micro-EDXRF, SEM-EDS and metallographic techniques

Identification of ancient gilding technology and Late Bronze Age metallurgy by EDXRF, Micro-EDXRF, SEM-EDS and metallographic techniques

Metallography and microstructure interpretation of some archaeological tin bronze vessels from Iran

Smelting and recycling evidences from the Late Bronze Age habitat site of Baiões (Viseu, Portugal)

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