I have a wild question for you - Zinc in late period Egyptian 'bronzes'. Has there been any change in thought as to the use of zinc in pre-Roman Egyptian material? Lately, a lot of material has been appearing with small collectors. These objects often have a funny bright blue/white corrosion product, either chalconatronite or a sodium acetate. However, XRF usually finds as well, the presence of Zinc!! Therefore, I suspect that these pieces are nasty reproductions. Our curator keeps thinking that these are simply late poor quality pieces. I have not had the benefit of seeing the mediocre everyday material which I am sure is common in Egypt in storerooms and on excavations;however, I find the presence of zinc in unexcavated pieces strange--Is anyone aware of recent analysis which would alter the theory that Egyptian material does not contain zinc?
Your comments would be appreciated--susan stock
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