Bronze Metal treatment in Georgia
(II-I millennia BC)

I. Japaridze, G. Inanishvili (Otar Lordkipanidze Centre for Archaeological Studies),
T. Badzoshvili (LEPL – Ferdinand Tavadze Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science),
A. Hauptmann (Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum)

ABSTRACT

The paper considers the results of chemical-technological examinations of the bronze inventory belonging to Middle Bronze Ages, which were exposed by the archaeological excavations carried out by Atskuri expedition and bronze artifacts (Ureki, Kulevi and Tsaishi burial inventory) exposed by Colkhida expeditions on the territory of Georgia. Chemical composition of the material (spectral analysis) and technological scheme (Metallographic analysis) were studied. Four metallurgical groups of alloys were distinguished according to the chemical composition of the objects for each archaeological period. For metal treatment of the Middle Bronze period the tin-mixed copper material and the simple scheme of manufacturing – that of casting or forging are typical. For bronze manufacturing of the Late Bronze Age the tin-mixed bronze alloy and complex technological scheme of production, combination of casting-forging are characteristic.

Using of three-component alloys is characteristic for the Late Bronze period, which in the nonferrous metal treatment process of this period refers to assimilation of complex alloying, application of wastes and recycling of alloys.