Abstract
This paper presents an archaeometric and archaeological study of a set of copper alloy artefacts found at ancient Egyptian and Nubian sites, which are deposited in the collection of Ägyptisches Museum - Georg Steindorff - der Universität Leipzig, from important sites: Abydos, Abusir, Giza and Aniba. They represent the development of ancient Egyptian metallurgy in more than one and half millennia, from the First Dynasty (ca. 3100-2900 BC) until almost the end of the New Kingdom (ca. 1200 BC).
The analyzed set of 86 artefacts and almost 100 samples covers different typological groups of artefacts such as full-size tools, model tools, full-size vessels and mirrors, etc. A detailed archaeometallurgical analysis has been carried out with the aim to obtain or specify information about the chemical or structural composition of the artefact using a wide range of analytical techniques.
Selected artefacts have been studied by metallographic methods in combination with micro hardness tests and XRD. Chemical composition analyses were carried out by the ED-XRF, SEM/EDS and NAA methods.
Lead isotope analyses were carried out using a MC-ICP-MS spectrometer in order to better understand the geographic provenance of the copper ores used. The development of the use of alloys, copper ores sources and technologies used across the studied periods and geographical areas is clearly visible on the set of analyzed artefacts.
All obtained analytical and archaeological data have been statistically evaluated in order to contribute to more detailed and accurate knowledge of metal production techniques and materials used in ancient Egyptian metallurgy.