Prehistoric copper production and technological reproduction in the Khao Wong Prachan Valley of Central Thailand

Abstract

Haeng were analysed in hand specimen, microstructurally by refl ected-light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chemically by polarising energy dispersive x-ray fl uorescence spectrometry ([P]ED-XRF) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray fl uorescence spectrometry (SEM-EDS). Resulting analytical data were used to generate detailed technological reconstructions of copper smelting behaviour at the two sites, which were refi ned by a programme of fi eld experimentation.Results indicate a long-term improvement in the technical profi ciency of Valley metalworkers, accompanied by an increase in the human effort of copper production. This shift in local 'metallurgical ethos' is interpreted as a response to rising regional demand for copper in late prehistory.4

Dating the Myanmar Bronze Age: Preliminary 14c Dates From the Oakaie 1 Cemetery Near Nyaung’gan

“…This is to be expected when a region's Bronze Age is thought to have been stimulated by its metal-using neighbours (probably southern China), as is also evidenced by the presence of 'exotic' imports to central Thailand apparently catalysing an experimental mode of copper smelting at Non Pa Wai. (Pryce et al, 2014, Pryce et al, 2010. In conclusion, we believe that further excavation at OAI1's relatively shallow strata would be of limited utility in establishing the absolute and relative chronology of Nyaung'gan's much deeper Bronze Age deposits.…”

The Archaeology and Technology of Metal Production in the Late Iron Age of the Southern Waterberg, Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…In archaeometallurgical projects the first task of macro analysis is to determine whether the collected materials do actually relate to metal production processes or not, because there are several materials, as such rocks and vitrified earth or dung that can be mistaken for metallurgical remains (Bachmann, 1982;Pryce, 2008). Once done, one must divide the materials into a number of categories based on visual and morphological properties.…”

“…Once done, one must divide the materials into a number of categories based on visual and morphological properties. The classification and U n i v e r s i t y o f C a p e T o w n 100 | P a g e interpretations can still be modified by later laboratory analyses (Pryce, 2008). Preliminary classes of metallurgical remains are illustrated below (Figure 6.1) and a detailed description is given in Appendix 6.1.…”

“…These analyses characterise the reductive skills of the smelters (Bachmann, 1982;Joosten, 2004;Miller and Killick, 2004;Chirikure 2005). The main concern with this method is that sample homogenisation, assumes and imposes homogeneity on pre-industrial remains that were rarely homogenous to begin with (Pryce, 2008). Homogenisation will evenly distribute the chemistry of individual phases, which tends to skew the bulk compositional data in favour of the predominant phase (Humphris et al 2009).…”

“…Scott, 1991). As noted above, most preindustrial metallurgical remains were not fully in equilibrium conditions, which means the definition of a phase in this context must be interpreted loosely (Pryce, 2008). OM involves the use of high resolution microscopes to direct light on to a polished surface of a sample, which then reflects or transmits that light to a receiver according to its optical properties (Bachmann, 1982).…”