Eastern Mediterranean Metallurgy and Metalwork in the Second Millennium BC. A Conference in Honour of James D. Muhly. Nicosia, 10th-11th October 2009

Edited by Vasiliki Kassianidou & George Papasavvas

City: Oxford

Year: 2012

Publisher: Oxbow Books

Description: Hardback, xiv & 258 p., 154 b/w ilustrations, 16 colour illustrations, 28,6x21,9 cm

Abstract

Ancient Cyprus was an important copper producing region, as well as a pioneer in the development and spread of metallurgy and metalwork in the wider region of the Eastern and Central Mediterranean. Eastern Mediterranean Metallurgy and Metalwork in the Second Millennium BC contains twenty-three papers that compare and contrast the material culture associated with metallurgical workshops, as well as discussing technological issues and their cultural and archaeological contexts. Some are devoted to the metallurgy and metalwork of Cyprus, presenting material from various sites, as well as discussing general issues of the production and use of copper in the Eastern Mediterranean. Others are dedicated to the Minoan and Aegean metal industry and to the connections between Sardinia and Cyprus. Moving eastwards, from Anatolia through the Levant and Jordan and then south to Egypt, papers are presented which discuss the Late Bronze Age metallurgy in Alalakh, Ugarit, Faynan, Timna and Qantir. The trade of tin and innovation of iron are also discussed.

Originally presented at a conference organized by the University of Cyprus in honour of James D, Muhly who has dedicated much of his research to Cypriot archaeology and metallurgy, this collection aims to be a significant contribution to Cypriot and Mediterranean archaeology and the study of ancient metallurgy, as well as a worthy dedication to James Muhly and his work.

Contents

Preface by V. Kassianidou and G. Papasavvas [vii]

List of contributors [xi]

Abbreviations [xiv]

R. Maddin, ‘Reminiscences: working with Jim Muhly’ [1-3]

G. Constantinou, ‘Late Bronze Age copper production in Cyprus from a mining geologist’s perspective’ [4-13]

A.B. Knapp, ‘Metallurgical production and trade on Bronze Age Cyprus: views and variations’ [14-25]

M.R. Belgiorno, D. Ferro and D. R. Loepp, ‘Pyrgos-Mavrorachi in Cypriot metallurgy’ [26-34]

A.K. South, ‘Tinker, tailor, farmer, miner: metals in the Late Bronze Age economy at Kalavasos’ [35-47]

R.C.P.  Doonan, G. Cadogan, and D. Sewell, ‘Standing on ceremony: the metallurgical finds from Maioni-Vournes, Cyprus’ [48-57]

M. Iacovou, ‘From regional gateway to Cypriot kingdom. Copper deposits and copper routes in the chora of Paphos’ [58-69]

N.H. Gale and Z.A. Stos-Gale, ‘The role of the Apliki mine region in the post c. 1400 BC copper production and trade networks in Cyprus and in the wider Mediterranean’ [70-82]

D. Pilides, ‘‘Reconstructing’ the Enkomi tombs (British excavations): an instructive exercise’ [83-93]

V. Kassianidou, ‘Metallurgy and metalwork in Enkomi: the early phases’ [94-106]

A. Giumlia-Mair, ‘The Enkomi cup: niello versus kuwano’ [107-116]

G. Papasavvas, ‘Profusion of Cypriot copper abroad, dearth of bronzes at home: a paradox in Late Bronze Age Cyprus’ [117-128]

P.P. Betancourt, ‘Cyprus and Crete: the transformation of the Minoan metalworking industry’ [129-134]

N.  Dimopoulou, ‘Metallurgy and metalworking in the harbour town of Knossos at Poros-Katsambas’ [135-141]

F. Lo Schiavo, ‘Cyprus and Sardinia, beyond the oxhide ingots’ [142-150]

Y. Bassiakos and T. Tselios, ‘On the cessation of local copper production in the Aegean in the 2nd millennium BC’ [151-161]

K.A. Yener, ‘Late Bronze Age Alalakh and Cyprus: a relationship of metals?’ [162-168]

E. Dardaillon, ‘The evidence for metallurgical workshops of the 2nd millennium in Ugarit’ [169-179]

C. Bell, ‘The merchants of Ugarit: oligarchs of the Late Bronze Age trade in metals?’ [180-187]

E. Ben-Yosef, ‘A unique casting mould from the new excavations at Timna Site 30 (Israel): evidence 188 of western influence?’ [188-196]

Τ. E. Levy, E. Ben-Yosef and M. Najjar, ‘New perspectives on Iron Age copper production and society in the Faynan region, Jordan’ [197-214]

T. Rehren and Ε. B. Pusch, ‘Alloying and resource management in New Kingdom Egypt: the bronze industry at Qantir – Pi-Ramesse and its relationship to Egyptian copper sources’ [215-221]

V.C. Pigott, ‘On ancient tin and tin-bronze in the Asian Old World: further comments’ [222-236]

H.A. Veldhuijzen, ‘Just a few rusty bits: the innovation of iron in the Eastern Mediterranean in the 2nd and 1st millennia BC’ [237-250]

Colour Plates 251