Tina,
The links do not work, which makes it difficult for us (:
Where the moulds found in a workshop context, or in a foundry area context?
You do write they were found in ash layers with no metallic traces. No metallic
traces on the mould, or no metallic traces/droplets in the ash?
I am not able to give you references, but some thoughts which might be
helpful, but if the material is indeed limestone, then this is technologically
not the first choice, because of its properties.
I could imagine that they were used for the production of wax models. It is
quite an effective way to mass produce models form wet limestone.
Would it be possible to have a closer look on the surface, e.g. with a
stereomicroscope and show us a few pictures of those. At this stage there is no
need to do SEM or XRF analyses. I think a thorough documentation and description
might highlight a few things. If limestone has seen a extreme heat, there should
be traces visible macroscopically.
By the way, if the find should reside in Tübingen, I'd be very happy to
have a look at it, since I am in Tübingen on a regular basis. Contact me
off-list should you be interested.
Best wishes,
Bastian
Am 5 Jul 2012 um 17:06 schrieb Tina Köster:
I’m
looking for parallels, information and/or references for a stone mould
(probabaly limestone) from Early Bronze Age Syria. The mould was deposited in
ash without any hint on metal droplets. The stone object has a length of 282
mm, a width of210 mm and a height of 94 mm. It displays negative forms for
casting on two sides: one the one side the negative for an axe (l. 109 mm; w.
22-35 mm), on the other side negatives for an axe (?) (l. 134 mm; w. 27-38 mm;
h. 19-28 mm), a sickle-like form (l. 130 mm; w. 6-17 mm) an a lancehead (l.
157 mm; w. 7-30 mm).
Pictures
can be found at:
I would be most grateful if anyone is able
to help in providing further information.
Yours sincerely,
Tina
Köster
Labor für
Archäometallurgie
