Late Bronze period

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine concentrations of several major and trace elements in samples of heavily corroded residues found in crucible fragments excavated at Tel Dan, Israel. The residues were mostly hard, metallic phases admixed with nonmetallic inclusions that appeared to be ceramic material from the loose porous interior of the crucible itself The objective was to identify the metals that had been melted in these crucibles. A method is described that attempts to separate nonmetallic and metallic phase data. In comparison to previous reports on analyses of source materials thought to have been used at Dan in this period (Late Bronze II Age-Early Iron I Age 1400-1000 B.C.), high gold concentrations were found. These appear to be correlated to arsenic and antimony concentrations. This finding is discussed in relation to possible changes in the source of tin at this period. 

Samples 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, and 1015 are from area B-l (dated to Late Bronze Age I/Late Bronze Ha Age transition period) that was excavated in the 1985 season. 

Bronze production began in China possibly in Kansu province in the early Shang dynasty or possibly in the late Neolithic period. These few isolated finds do not seem to have any relevance to later Chinese bronze production, and we have not included analyses of any of them in our tables. The mainstream of bronze production begins in the Homan area, probably about 1400 B.C. with workshops near Cheng-chou, which at that time probably was the capital of the Shang state. These early (pre-An-yang) bronzes have characteristic decoration, shapes, and thinness. 

In England bronze objects have been found in burial mounds of the late Neolithic period, some 2000 b.c. As the objects are small it may well be that they indicate merely the beginning of the bronze age as the years rolled on, metal objects increased in range and dimensions. Riveted bronze cauldrons and buckets have been found from time to time a cauldron recovered from the Thames near Battersea, 16 inches high and inches in diameter is shown in the British Museum and possibly dates from about 700 b.c. 

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