Reassessment and new data on the diachronic relationship of Thassos Island with its indigenous metal resources: a review

Nerantzis, Nerantzis; Papadopoulos, Stratis

doi:10.1007/s12520-013-0140-9

Cited by 24 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Despite Sardinia’s metal richness, the scale of Bronze Age and Iron Age mining is not fully understood; for example the majority of Late Bronze Age copper oxide ingots and ingot fragments seem to derive from Cyprus (Lo Schiavo et al, 2005; Stos-Gale and Gale, 1992). Silver mining on Thasos Island (Greece) probably began early in prehistory, with production peaks at 500–410 and, to a lesser extent at 370–310 bce and even more so in Roman times (Nerantzis and Papadopoulos, 2013; Pernicka, 1981). Also Laurion in SE Attika (Greece) was already being exploited for silver during the Bronze Age (Gale and Stos-Gale, 1981; Kassianidou, 2012), but larger-scale mining probably began late in the 5th century bce (Katerinopoulos, 2010; Κονοφάγος, 1980).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early mining and smelting lead anomalies in geological archives as potential stratigraphic markers for the base of an early Anthropocene

Wagreich

Draganits

2018

The Anthropocene Review

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This article reviews possible lower boundaries for an early Anthropocene period. Although a noticeable environmental impact of humans, caused by hunting, the use of fire, forest clearance, animal domestication and agriculture had already occurred in the Neolithic, these early signals are strongly diachronous and localised. Here, we examine early significant, synchronous and regional stratigraphic signals indicating an anthropogenic influence as consequences of mining and smelting-related trace metal contamination. A first regional lead contamination event in the Northern Hemisphere is recognized during the (Eastern Mediterranean) Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age, between 3500 and 2800 BP, with a peak at around 3000 BP. Another pronounced anthropogenic lead peak is recorded around 2000 BP, during the Roman period. These events, as defined by lead enrichment and changes in lead isotope ratios, accompanied by other trace metal enrichments, are found in several types of archives, such as Arctic ice-cores and European peat-bogs, speleothems as well as fluvial, lake and marine records. Potential stratigraphic correlations and secondary markers may be present using tephrochronology, climate events, and magnetostratigraphy. Such a definition of the base of a formally defined (early) Anthropocene stage/period allows the application of the GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point) concept by using a point in a physical archive, and, in contrast to the late Anthropocene, includes a significant quantity of anthropogenic strata as evidence for an Anthropocene chronostratigraphic unit.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early mining and smelting lead anomalies in geological archives as potential stratigraphic markers for the base of an early Anthropocene

Wagreich

Draganits

2018

The Anthropocene Review

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“…, ; Epitropou et al . ; Nerantzis ; Nerantzis and Papadopoulos ). Based on data for mining technology and output in metals, three major phases of exploitation can be distinguished: an early prehistoric phase, a second phase of intensive activity during Classical/Hellenistic and Roman times, and a third phase belonging to the Late Byzantine – Ottoman period.…”

Section: Field Survey Data Collection and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…FIELD SURVEY, DATA COLLECTION AND SAMPLING Combined archaeological research, limited field survey and laboratory analysis on metallurgical residues, conducted in the study area previously, has provided tangible material evidence testifying to a diachronic exploitation of the local deposits spanning from the Bronze Age up to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods (Photos 1987;Vavelidis et al 1996Vavelidis et al , 1997Epitropou et al 2003;Nerantzis 2010;Nerantzis and Papadopoulos 2013). Based on data for mining technology and output in metals, three major phases of exploitation can be distinguished: an early prehistoric phase, a second phase of intensive activity during Classical/Hellenistic and Roman times, and a third phase belonging to the Late Byzantine -Ottoman period.…”

Section: The Geology and Mineral Deposits In The Study Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pre‐Industrial Iron Smelting and Silver Extraction in North‐Eastern Greece: an Archaeometallurgical Approach

Nerantzis¹

2015

Archaeometry

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In contrast to Western Europe's well‐documented contribution to global industrialization, Eastern Europe has not received adequate attention. This paper addresses this asymmetry by defining a secure socio‐technical framework for the development of metallurgical technology in one of the most important mineralized zones in Eastern Europe, namely the uplands of north‐eastern Greece. The interplay of technological innovation, geography and social process has made this region central in European political history from the Classical and Roman periods up to recent times. Metal procurement has been crucial particularly between the 15th and 19th centuries ad, when armed conflicts escalated across the Balkans and the high inflation throughout Europe increased the demand for raw materials from the East. Field data from north‐eastern Greece and instrumental analysis corroborate the concept of iron extraction during this period from complex ores that were potentially used for their precious metals contents as well. Chemical analysis of slag points to iron bloomery processes, while analysis of respective residues (speiss) reveals significant concentrations of silver and thus testifies to the extraction of precious metals. This study addresses concerns that preoccupy political and technological minds today, and provides a context for understanding the effects of changing attitudes to the environment, social development, consumption and natural resources.

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“…Copper smelting and further processing, which includes casting into clay moulds, is also evidenced based on relevant findings. The first results on copper smelting and possible alloying at Aghios Antonios have been recently published (Nerantzis and Papadopoulos 2013), while the study of copper-alloy artifacts from a number of Thasian Bronze Age settlements for the sake of comparison is currently under way. Other finds include polished stone axes, jewelry made of shell, clay stamps, and a ceremonial, ornately decorated clay tripod.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiocarbon Dating of Aghios Antonios, Potos, and Intersite Chronological Variability in South Thasos, Greece

Maniatis

Nerantzis²,

Papadopoulos

2015

Radiocarbon

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Radiocarbon dates obtained for the coastal hilltop settlement of Aghios Antonios Potos in south Thasos are statistically treated to define the absolute chronology for the start and the end of the various habitation and cultural phases at the site. The location was first occupied during the Final Neolithic (FN) between 3800 and 3600 BC, extending this much contested phase to the lowest up to now record for Thasos and the northern Greece. The site is continuously inhabited from Early Bronze Age I until the early Late Bronze Age (LBA; 1363 BC) when it was abandoned. Comparison with other sites in Thasos and particularly with the inland site of Kastri Theologos showed that the first occupation at Aghios Antonios came soon after the abandonment of Kastri in the beginning of the 4th millennium. In fact, after the decline and abandonment of Aghios Antonios in the LBA, the site of Kastri was reinhabited, leading to the hypothesis that part of the coastal population moved inland. The presumed chronological sequence of alternate habitation between the two settlements may evoke explanations for sociocultural and/or environmental dynamics behind population movements in prehistoric Thasos. A major conclusion of the project is that the 4th millennium occupation gap attested in many sites of Greece, especially in the north, is probably bridged in south Thasos, when the data from all sites are taken together. The mobility of people in Final Neolithic south Thasos may explain the general phenomenon of limited occupational sequences in the FN of north Greece.

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Reassessment and new data on the diachronic relationship of Thassos Island with its indigenous metal resources: a review

Cited by 24 publications

References 9 publications

Early mining and smelting lead anomalies in geological archives as potential stratigraphic markers for the base of an early Anthropocene

Early mining and smelting lead anomalies in geological archives as potential stratigraphic markers for the base of an early Anthropocene

Pre‐Industrial Iron Smelting and Silver Extraction in North‐Eastern Greece: an Archaeometallurgical Approach

Radiocarbon Dating of Aghios Antonios, Potos, and Intersite Chronological Variability in South Thasos, Greece

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