Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
3rd International Natural Science, Engineering and Material Technologies Conference, Girne, Kıbrıs (Kktc), 21 - 23 Eylül 2023, ss.68, (Özet Bildiri)
The determination of the manufacturing techniques of metal artifacts used in prehistoric periods sheds light on the cultural, social, economic, and technological evolution of the era. Identifying the production processes through the metallurgical and chemical characterization of archaeological findings is a noteworthy aspect of archaeometallurgical research. In 2004, at the Kral Tepesi settlement located in the Kaleburnu village of Karpaz, one of the significant ports of the Late Bronze Age, a hoard consisting of 26 bronze artifacts was discovered inside a storage pithos [1]. The discovery of these artifacts within a storage container, the diversity of the artifacts, and the collective presence of a stirrup jar alongside this assemblage have raised several scientific questions. One of the most intriguing questions is to determine the production processes of these metal-based artifacts. The abundance of bowls, seen as part of both rituals and daily use, reflecting the diverse typology among the artifacts, raises another worthwhile question regarding the possibility of different production methods. Within the scope of this study, the determination of the manufacturing process of the bowls found in the 2004 hoard has been planned based on their internal structure and material properties. For this purpose, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and its associated chemical analysis unit, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), were employed to examine the surface morphology, shape, size, and distribution of the pieces. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted to study the crystalline structure. The grain structure, grain orientation, fracture mechanism, and differences in the crystalline structure of the examined artifacts suggest that different production processes may have been employed. From the artifacts that distinctly show the mentioned characterization differences, select samples have been chosen to elucidate their production processes. This study offers a unique perspective to the scientific community in understanding and comparatively analyzing the different production techniques of the Late Bronze Age bronze bowls found at Kral Tepesi in Cyprus. In light of the findings obtained, an interdisciplinary approach has been emphasized, bridging archaeology, chemistry, and material science, aiming to evaluate the production techniques within a broader evolutionary and cultural context.