Archaeometallurgical and archaeological investigation of Hellenistic metal objects from Ashdod-Yam (Israel)

Abstract

The archaeological site of Ashdod-Yam is located on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, in the southern part of the modern city of Ashdod. In this study, we present the analysis of various metal objects from the Hellenistic period, retrieved at Ashdod-Yam during two seasons of renewed excavations. The objects were characterized by metallurgical non-destructive and minimal-destructive testing methods, including stereo microscopy, XRF and SEM-EDS measurements, in order to determine their composition and manufacturing process. The examined artefacts were originally made of copper alloys, lead and iron. Our research indicates that the manufacturing of the objects involved diverse techniques, including casting, hammering, cold-forging and annealing cycles, drilling, engraving, as well as joining methods such as forge-welding and soldering, indicating that the artefacts were made by trained metalsmiths and were most probably produced in different workshops. Due to the paucity of studies dedicated to systematic archaeometallurgical analysis of Hellenistic metal objects from the southern Levant, this article contributes to a better understanding of Hellenistic technological practices in this part of the world.