Abstrakt
It is generally assumed that only a few full-size Old Kingdom copper tools for working stone and wood have been preserved. The assumption led to the marginalization of this artefact category in the study of so-called "Pyramid Age" of Ancient Egypt (ca 27th-22nd century BC).
The paper reviews the evidence and questions this assumption. The archaeological contexts in which these full-size tools have been found are evaluated and the tool's morphology and chronology are examined in detail, by means of the traditional approaches and also with the aid of morphometry.
A comparison with hundreds of Old Kingdom model copper tools helps to define the characteristics and differences of both artefact categories. Model tools represent full-size toolkits used by stonemasons and carpenters.
Questions about the alloys used to produce full-size tools and artefacts in the Old Kingdom will be also addressed.