Abstract
Over the last twenty years, there has been a discernable increase in the number of scholars who have focused their research on metal production, working and use in antiquity, a field of study which has come to be known as archaeometallurgy. Materials scientists and conservators have worked primarily in the laboratory while archaeologists have conducted fieldwork geared to the study of metal technology in a cultural context with laboratory analysis as one portion of the interpretive program.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
J.C. Waldbaum, “From Bronze to Iron: The Transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, 54 (Goteborg: Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, 1978).
P.E. McGovern, “The Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages of Central Transjordan: The Baq’ah Valley Project, 1977–1981,” University Museum Monograph 65, University Museum, Philadelphia (1986).
T. Stech-Wheeler, J.D. Muhly, K.R. Maxwell-Hyslop and R. Maddin, “Iron at Taanach and Early Iron Metallurgy in the Eastern Mediterranean,” American Journal of Archaeology, 85 (1981), pp. 245–268, 481.
C.S. Smith, “On the Nature of Iron,” Made of Iron, Houston: University of St. Thomas Art Dept. (1966), pp. 27–41.
This interpretation is based upon the work of M.R. Notis and H. Chan, using electron energy loss spectroscopy to identify carbide precipitates.
R. Pleiner, “Problem of Direct Steel Production in Early Ferrous Metallurgy,” Steel Times (May 1968), pp. 312–318.
G.E. Wright, “Iron: The Date of Its Introduction into Common Use in Palestine,” American Journal of Archaeology, 43 (1939) pp. 458–463.
A.M. Snodgrass, The Dark Age of Greece, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh (1971).
S.H. Basha, Stratigraphic Accumulation, Origin and Prospection of Iron Ore Deposits at Warda-Southern Ajlun District, Natural Resources Authority, Amman (1968).
R.A. Coughenour, “Preliminary Report on the Exploration and Excavation of Mugharat el Wardeh and Abu Thawab,” Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, 21 (1976), pp. 71–78.
P.E. McGovern, “Silicate Industries of Late Bronze- Early Iron Palestine: Technological Interaction between Egypt and the Levant,” Early Vitreous Materials, M. Bimson and I.C. Freestone, eds., British Museum Occasional Paper 56, British Museum Research Laboratory, London (1987), pp. 91–114.
Personal communication, S.J. Bourke, excavator of tomb and member of University of Sydney (Australia expedition) under the direction of J.B. Hennessy (May 19, 1988).
R.H. Smith, R. Maddin, J.D. Muhly and T. Stech, “Bronze Age Steel from Pella, Jordan,” Current Anthropology, 25 (1984), pp. 234–236.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Editor’s Note: This discussion is based on chapter8 ofthe Baqah Valley monograph (Reference 2). For the initial study, see V.C. Pigott, P.E. McGovern and M.R. Notis, “The Earliest Steel from Transjordan,” MASCA Journal, 2 (1982), pp. 35–39.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McGovern, P.E. The Innovation of Steel in Transjordan. JOM 40, 50–52 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03258152
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03258152