Chemical and isotopic studies of ancient metals

Abstract

Chemical treatment of metal artifacts to determine their composition was one of the first applications of science to archaeology. In this chapter, various chemical and isotopic analytical techniques are described as they relate to the study of ancient metals. In addition, the problems and pitfalls of such analyses, especially as they relate to attempts to assign provenance to ancient artifacts, are discussed. In general, the chemical and isotopic analysis of metal artifacts as well as metallurgical artifacts (e.g., crucibles and slags) is essential for reconstructing the ancient technological process.