A compositional analysis by energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence of Iberian copper‐alloy votive figurines from southern Spain (fourth–third centuries BC)

Abstract

Studies of Iberian votive figurines have extended our knowledge of Iberian culture and have provided valuable information both on technological aspects of the metal processing and on social and religious patterns inside these communities. In this study, we present an energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analysis of the copper alloys of a selection of 32 Iberian votive figurines and two fibulae (fourth–third centuries BC) in the collection of the Museum of Prehistory in Valencia. The collection comprises 98 bronze objects from the Iberian sanctuaries of Collado de los Jardines (Santa Elena) and Altos del Sotillo (Castellar), in Jaén, Spain. The results reveal a diversity of Cu–Sn–Pb alloys among the votive figurines, including copper, leaded copper (Pb > 2 wt.%, Sn <2 wt.%), binary bronzes (Sn >2 wt.%, Pb <2 wt.%), and ternary bronzes (Sn >2 wt.%, Pb >2 wt.%). The analyses of the bronze alloys are compared with those of other regional votive collections dating from the same period.