Re: King of Stonehenge Copper & Arsenic


Jois wrote:
> "mclark" <biteme@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:BXtvf.24508$Dk.9741@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Don't know if anyone caught the recent TV "King of Stonehenge"
> > but I did and noticed a similarity in design between knives:
> >
> > http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/king_stonehenge_07.shtml
> >
> > and
> >
> > http://members.tripod.com/~mr_sedivy/iceman5.html
> >
> > Interesting to note the shape and method of hafting. It seems to
> > me that the person making the casting would have had the
> > opportunity to cast any shape that came to mind. When I
> > think of a blade, it's long and narrow. But perhaps triangular
> > (especially softer copper) would handle stresses better.
> > Anyway, an interesting segue from stone to metal. Another
> > interesting note was the high arsenic content of the copper.
> > Metal workers must have been handling copper for some
> > time to figure this out. I wonder if the Chalcolithic starts
> > out as found copper/personal artwork/adornment? And
> > where does the arsenic come from?
> > --
> > "If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if
> > he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties."
> > -- Sir Francis Bacon
> >
> >
>
> Interesting sites. Maybe the BBC will run "King of Stonehenge" again.
>
> The following had some information on copper and arsenic and it looks like
> the arsenic content of early copper might have been just dumb luck:
>
>
> http://www.enhg.org/gallery/khutwah/copper.htm
>
> University of Sheffield: Discussion of Analytical Data
> "This report discusses the chemical analysis and metallographic examination
> of a number of copper alloy samples from the Bronze Age site at Selenkahiye
> in Syria. Chemical analysis was undertaken using EDXRF and established that
> thirteen out of the twenty-nine samples contained at least 2% tin. The
> remaining samples contain varying levels of arsenic but it is doubtful
> whether arsenic was deliberately exploited as an alloying element. The
> microstructures of the samples shows that smithing was the most common means
> of shaping artefacts after basic casting of metal."
>
>
> http://www.grayson.edu/grayson/homepage/clarks/bronze.htm
>
> Early Bronze an alloy of Copper and Arsenic
> The result of a naturally occurring ore
> Used from about 4,000 BC to 3,500 BC
> Fell out of favor
> the smelting process releases arsenic gas which probably killed the
> metalworkers
> (and eliminated the need for workman's comp - FJ)
> the metalworkers deaths may have been associated with their products
> unpredictable results because the naturally occurring ores have different
> compositions
>
> These were also interesting:
>
> http://www.archaeonia.com/science/engineering/metalworks.htm
>
> http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu35ie/uu35ie06.htm

Otzi the Iceman was found to have traces of arsenic in his hair, which
was attributed to having done smelting of copper as well:

"How do we know all we know about Ötzi? Well, I've taken far less
liberty in my telling about him than you might think. Forensic studies
tell us that one of his arrowheads carried blood from two other humans,
and we find another person's blood on his knife and his cloak. We know
that he'd recently eaten ibex, deer, and grain, and that his home was
near present-day Bolzano, Italy. Since his hair carries traces of
arsenic, a by-product of copper smelting, we're pretty sure he did his
own metalwork. "
http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1877.htm

Ross Macfarlane

.

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  • Re: King of Stonehenge Copper & Arsenic
    ... >> interesting note was the high arsenic content of the copper. ... > the smelting process releases arsenic gas which probably killed the ... > the metalworkers deaths may have been associated with their products ... tell us that one of his arrowheads carried blood from two other humans, ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)
  • Re: King of Stonehenge Copper & Arsenic
    ... >> interesting note was the high arsenic content of the copper. ... > the smelting process releases arsenic gas which probably killed the ... > the metalworkers deaths may have been associated with their products ... tell us that one of his arrowheads carried blood from two other humans, ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)