Some Reflections on the Ancient Metallurgy of Sumhuram (Sultanate of Oman)

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Multidisciplinary research on the metallurgy-related items and features from the ancient South Arabian harbour of Sumhuram, in southern Oman, have shed light on ancient copper and iron production and use at the site, pointing out what appears to be a definitely unusual practice in particular for what concerns copper alloying. In this paper, the archaeometallurgical data are summarised and discussed with the aim of showing that the existence of a copper working tradition specific to South Arabian centres can be tentatively postulated and that at least two different networks of metal production and exchange probably existed, centred on the opposite sides of the southern Arabian Peninsula.</jats:p>

Evaluation of the philosophical thought of ancient Chinese metallurgical technology culture

“…Metallurgical technology culture is a subculture of traditional Chinese culture, and it plays a role in the material basis of traditional Chinese society and culture. At the same time, the institutional and conceptual aspects of culture, related to metallurgical processes, have enriched the cultural connotations of traditional Chinese social culture to a certain extent, and have also greatly promoted it (Degli;Alexia, 2020, p. 179). Due to the invention, development and changes of any metallurgical technology, new cultural factors have been added to traditional Chinese social culture, thus enriching the original cultural system.…”

Water and power in South Arabia: the excavation of “Monumental Building 1” (MB1) at Sumhuram (Sultanate of Oman)

“…Fragmentary plaques and scattered letters in bronze were also found during both the American and the Italian excavations (Albright, 1982: 87–88, fig. 71; Chiavari et al, 2011; Degli Esposti & Pavan, forthcoming) together with some utilitarian objects bearing letters, personal names or theonyms (e.g. Albright, 1982: 88–89, 100, pls.…”