34716
Accession Number
14370
Author
Joel, E.C.;Sayre, E.V.;Vocke, R.D.;Willett, F.
Author Affiliation
Smithsonian Institution. Conservation Analytical Laboratory; Smithsonian Institution. Conservation Analytical Laboratory;National Institute of Standards and Technology. Analytical Chemistry Division; University of Glasgow. Hunterian Museum
Title Of Article Chaper
Stable lead isotope characterization of various copper alloys used in West Africa: an interim report
Title Of Journal Book
The Journal of the Historical Metallurgy Society
Volume
29
Issue
1
Pages
25-33
Collation
9 p. : ills.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
This is an interim report on a continuing project on the identification of the sources of copper alloys used in West Africa from the middle of the first millennium AD using the evidence offered by the varying isotopic composition of the lead in the alloys. Work so far has concentrated on samples we have in hand from Igbo Ukwu, Marandet, Ma'aden Ijafen, Ife, Benin City and Udo. This paper presents the groupings of lead isotopes in these various centres. There is very good separation between these casting centres which suggests that they obtained their metal from different sources. So far, whereas Igbo Ukwu and Ife each reveal two main sources, Benin, which we know from the historical documents traded with several different parts of Europe, shows one single source with very few outliers.
Keywords
lead;isotope;stable;copper;alloy;metal;africa
pub_id
34716