Archaeometallurgical Characterization and Manufacturing Technologies of Fourth Century BCE Silver Jewelry: The Samaria and Nablus Hoards as Test Case

Abstract

A selection of fourth century BCE silver jewelry, which is part of the Samaria and Nablus Hoards, was studied using nondestructive and minimally destructive analyses. A metallurgical methodology was applied and improved, based on the composition of the joints and bulk of the objects. The results indicate that most of the analyzed jewelry is made of silver containing a small percentage of copper, with higher Cu concentrations presented in the brazing and contact melting joints. The manufacturing processes of the jewelry from both hoards involved similar processes, including casting, hammering, bending, cutting, twisting, decorating by plastic deformation, granulating, and three joining methods. These techniques demonstrate that the artifacts were created by trained silversmiths. Our study provides better understanding of the technological skills in the late Persian-period province of Samaria and has implications regarding the production of local silver coins produced in the southern Levant.