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The Elamite metalworkers: multianalytical study on copper objects and ingots from second millennium BC of southwestern Iran

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Abstract

An analytical study was performed on copper alloy objects and ingots/prills from Haft Tappeh Middle Elamite site, southwestern Iran, fourteenth century BC. The samples were analysed by micro-PIXE and SEM-EDS methods to characterise chemical composition and different phases in their microstructure. The results showed that the main objects’ compositions are copper with impurities and variable-Sn containing tin bronze. Furthermore, most of the ingots/prills are composed of copper with high concentration of iron and sulphur while in two samples tin bronze ingot/prill is detected. Based on the results, the main metallurgical operation in Haft Tappeh may be matte production to make metallic copper and producing tin bronze alloy probably by cementation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Dr. Alireza Razeghi and Atefeh Rashnooei, former and current Heads of Chogha Zanbil and Haft Tappeh World Heritage Research Center, Dr. Behzad Mofidi-Nasrabadi, Head of Haft Tappeh excavations, Ali Chaharlang, Akram Soltani and Alireza Faraji, Chogha Zanbil and Haft Tappeh World Heritage Research Center and Dr. Mohammad Lamehi Rashti, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Institute (NSTRI). The experimental work presented in this paper has been carried out in the framework of the research project rent No. 951/1, financed by the Research Office of Art University of Isfahan, 2016–2018, and supported by Chogha Zanbil and Haft Tappeh World Heritage Research Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Conservation of Historic and Cultural Properties, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

    Omid Oudbashi

  2. Van de Graaff Laboratory, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran

    Davoud Agha-Aligol

  3. Department of History and Cultural Studies, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Moslem Mishmastnehi

  4. Department of Conservation of Historic and Cultural Properties, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

    Vahid Barnoos

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  1. Omid Oudbashi
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Correspondence to Omid Oudbashi.

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Oudbashi, O., Agha-Aligol, D., Mishmastnehi, M. et al. The Elamite metalworkers: multianalytical study on copper objects and ingots from second millennium BC of southwestern Iran. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 11, 2059–2072 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-018-0636-4

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