Oxhide Ingots, Recycling and the Mediterranean Metals Trade

Authors

  • P. Budd University of Bradford
  • A.M. Pollard University of Bradford
  • B. Scaife University of Bradford
  • R. G. Thomas University of Western Sydney

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jmea.v8i1.1

Keywords:

Oxhide Ingots, recycling, metal

Abstract

Recent research on the Late Bronze Age metals trade in the Mediterranean has focused on the long distance transport of the so-called 'oxhide' ingots, artefacts which are widely distributed on sites dated between the 16th and 12th centuries BC. The distribution and provenance of these ingots have important implications for our understanding of trade links and political organisation, but appear to be an area where conclusions based on scientific data conflict with established archaeological understanding. This paper presents a radical reassessment of the available scientific information and shows that this conflict stems from an inflexible and dogmatic interpretation of data which in reality remain ambiguous. An alternative hypothesis, which acknowledges the limitations of the applied techniques, is put forward for discussion.

Author Biographies

  • P. Budd, University of Bradford
    Paul Budd is an advanced research fellow in the Department of Archaeological Sciences, Bradford University, with a special interest in science-based archaeological metallurgical research.
  • A.M. Pollard, University of Bradford
    Mark Pollard is a Professor of Archaeological Sciences as Bradford University.
  • B. Scaife, University of Bradford
    Brett Scaife is a PhD student in the Department of Archaeological Sciences, Bradford University, with a special interest in mathematical methods in archaeology.
  • R. G. Thomas, University of Western Sydney
    Richard Thomas is a research fellow at the University of Western Sydney (Nepean) with a special interest in science-based archaeological metallurgical research.

Published

1995-06-01

Issue

Section

Special Section: Lead Isotope Analysis and the Mediterranean Metals Trade

How to Cite

Budd, P., Pollard, A., Scaife, B., & Thomas, R. G. (1995). Oxhide Ingots, Recycling and the Mediterranean Metals Trade. Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology, 8(1), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1558/jmea.v8i1.1