It may be a bit late due to absence during the last weeks but I think that
list members could also be interested in an article where we deal with the
distinction of native copper in somewhat more detail that in the one
mentioned by D. Liversage:
Pernicka, E., Begemann, F. Schmitt-Strecker, S., Todorova, H., Kuleff, I. 1993:
Prehistoric copper in Bulgaria: Its composition and provenance. Eurasia
Antiqua 3, 41-180.
(I have a few offprints, if someone is interested).
In this study we found that high mercury concentrations can also result
from contamination. But we also found that the trace element pattern does
indeed provide a basis for the distinction of native and smelted copper,
particularly the concentrations of Co, Ni, Sb, and Au. Geochemical
reasoning for this is given in
Pernicka, E. 1990:
Gewinnung und Verbreitung der Metalle in prähistorischer Zeit. Jahrb.
Röm.-Germ. Zentralmus. 37, 21-129.
The net result is that most chalcolithic copper objects from the Balkans
are most likely made from smelted copper.
Ernst Pernicka
___________________________
Prof. Dr. Ernst Pernicka
Lehrstuhl für Archaeometallurgie
TU Bergakademie Freiberg
Gustav-Zeuner-Strasse 5
D-09596 Freiberg
Tel: **49-3731-393353
Fax: **49-3731-393657 or **49-3731-392489
E-mail: <[log in to unmask]>
Internet: http://www.am.tu-freiberg.de
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