عنوان

Small Size, High Value:

شماره

LA113717

زبان متن نوشتاري يا گفتاري و مانند آن

انگلیسی

عنوان اصلي

Small Size, High Value:

نام عام مواد

[Article]

ساير اطلاعات عنواني

Composition and Manufacture of Second Millennium AD Copper-Based Beads from Northern Zimbabwe

نام نخستين پديدآور

Thomas Panganayi Thondhlana, Marcos Martinón-Torres, Thomas Panganayi Thondhlana, et al.

محل نشرو پخش و غیره

Leiden

نام ناشر، پخش کننده و غيره

Brill

متن يادداشت

This investigation introduces a new dimension to the previous typological analyses of the metal bead assemblages from Zimbabwean archaeological sites. Here we present the microstructural and chemical characterisation of 50 copper-based metal beads from the collections of the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences (ZMHS) in Harare, most of them from Later Farming Community period sites in northern Zimbabwe (AD 1000 to AD 1900). The analytical study employed optical microscopy, ED-XRF and SEM-EDS. Compositionally, unalloyed copper, arsenical copper and tin bronzes were identified in the earlier sites, with some significant regional variations. From the seventeenth century, brass becomes the preferred alloy. The potential sources of these metals and their spatial and temporal patterning are discussed with reference to both the socio-economic dynamics prevailing in Zimbabwe during the period, and the symbolic value of metal beads in these communities. The metallographic study showed a preponderance of wrought beads, with a small but significant presence of cast forms. These fabrication technologies reflect little outside influence and are in line with indigenous African metal smithing methods. This investigation introduces a new dimension to the previous typological analyses of the metal bead assemblages from Zimbabwean archaeological sites. Here we present the microstructural and chemical characterisation of 50 copper-based metal beads from the collections of the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences (ZMHS) in Harare, most of them from Later Farming Community period sites in northern Zimbabwe (AD 1000 to AD 1900). The analytical study employed optical microscopy, ED-XRF and SEM-EDS. Compositionally, unalloyed copper, arsenical copper and tin bronzes were identified in the earlier sites, with some significant regional variations. From the seventeenth century, brass becomes the preferred alloy. The potential sources of these metals and their spatial and temporal patterning are discussed with reference to both the socio-economic dynamics prevailing in Zimbabwe during the period, and the symbolic value of metal beads in these communities. The metallographic study showed a preponderance of wrought beads, with a small but significant presence of cast forms. These fabrication technologies reflect little outside influence and are in line with indigenous African metal smithing methods.

تاريخ نشر

2009

توصيف ظاهري

79-97

عنوان

Journal of African Archaeology

شماره جلد

7/1

شماره استاندارد بين المللي پياييندها

2191-5784

اصطلاح موضوعی

archaeometallurgy

اصطلاح موضوعی

composition

اصطلاح موضوعی

copper and copper alloys

اصطلاح موضوعی

Later Farming Communities

اصطلاح موضوعی

technology

اصطلاح موضوعی

Zimbabwe

مستند نام اشخاص تاييد نشده

Marcos Martinón-Torres

مستند نام اشخاص تاييد نشده

Thomas Panganayi Thondhlana

شماره بازیابی

10.3213/1612-1651-10119

نام الکترونيکي

فرمت انتشار

p

نوع ماده

[Article]

کد کاربرگه

275578

سطح دسترسي

a

تكميل شده

Y