Tripod cauldrons produced at Olympia give evidence for trade with copper from Faynan (Jordan) to South West Greece, c. 950–750 BCE

Abstract

The large assemblages of tripod cauldrons excavated in Greek sanctuaries are well suited to trace the Early Iron Age copper trade. In this pilot study, chemical and lead isotope data of 11 tripod cauldrons from the Zeus sanctuary of Olympia are presented and discussed.For sampling, we selected tripod cauldrons that, according to recent chemical analyses of adhering remains of the casting ceramics, had been produced (cast) on the site of Olympia itself. Chronologically, these samples cover a time span between ca. 950 and 750BCE.Lead isotope analysis (LIA) and chemical bulk analysis indicate that the copper of all tripod-cauldrons under study was produced in the Wadi Arabah, more precisely in Faynan (Jordan). Our findings point to the existence of a well-organized Levantine - Aegean copper trail, active at least between c. 950 and 750BCE. This result is the first direct evidence for the exchange of commodities between the southern Levant and Greece in this period.