Tag Archives: metallurgia

Immagazzinamento, circolazione e uso dei metalli in età neopalaziale: il caso di Haghia Triada

Author: M. Figuera

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This paper aims to investigate the spatial distribution of metal finds within the site of Ayia Triada, the relationship between the contexts of discovery and functional aspects ‒ utilitarian, prestigious, ritual or ceremonial ‒ deepening the relationship between the metal in circulation, stored permanently or temporarily, or intended to be recycled. The goal is to investigate the choices within a single settlement, relating to the use or storage of metals, to the functional priorities that the artefacts played in a specific context and to any restrictive strategies developed by a social group to limit access to this highly valuable sources. Haghia Triada is characterized as a key site for the presence of a considerable amount of bronze artefacts and nineteen copper ox-hide ingots. It also allows an analysis not affected by the limitations inherent in the study of metals, because it was suddenly abandoned and thanks to that has preserved a large part of the recovery contexts.

The Pigment Production Site of the Ancient Agora of Kos (Greece): Revisiting the material evidence

Author: Ariadne Kostomitsopoulou Marketou

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A late-Hellenistic production site was found at the eastern stoa of the agora of Kos. The presence of destroyed fire-structures indicates pyrotechnological processes, related to pigment manufacture and metallurgy. Pigment production included the treatment of natural earths and the manufacture of the artificial material Egyptian blue. Among the excavation’s finds were hollow tubular litharge rods, amorphous lead lumps and drops, and a small quantity of silver, which point to lead production and silver separation through cupellation. The co-existence of the two separate manufacturing activities at the same site may have been beneficial in supplying the workshop with raw materials and fuel. The strategic location of the production site in the commercial centre of the ancient town, with its connection to the port, would have facilitated trade. The production debris from the Koan site underlines the relationship between pigment manufacture and metallurgy.