Copper-based metalwork in Roman to early Islamic Jerash (Jordan): Insights into production and recycling through alloy compositions and lead isotopes

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102519
• Publication Date: 2020-08-19T03:02:30Z
• Authors: Vana Orfanou; Thomas Birch; Achim Lichtenberger; Rubina Raja; Gry H. Barfod; Charles E. Lesher; Christoph Eger
• Keywords: Bronze

Metallographic, chemical and lead isotopic analyses of copper-based artefacts recovered from the Northwest Quarter in Jerash (ancient Gerasa) Jordan provide new information on civic life material culture a key urban site Roman Empire's eastern provinces. The samples span city's occupation its flourishing under rule into Byzantine early Islamic periods. We examined 49 using reflected light microscopy micro-X-ray fluorescence. A subset these was analysed by electron microprobe spectroscopy for major minor elements at higher spatial resolution, multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry isotopes. Results imply that binary bronze dominated period, (leaded) brass characterised while tin-containing alloys were prevalent during period. Lead isotopes suggest periods some metal came European and/or Mediterranean sources, copper used period may have been sourced more locally Timna. changes alloy types recycling metals took place possibly as frequent onwards.