'Tin in Antiquity' is the first comprehensive history of the early metallurgy of tin, a mine of information on this rare, highly prized metal so vital to the developing civilization of the Bronze Age. The origins of tin have always been a mystery, but the author has unearthed archaeological evidence from all over the world to trace the tinfields used before the discovery of European deposits. He takes us on a fascinating voyage of discovery through the Ancient World, delving into mythology, and enlivening his scholarly text with quotations from the Classics and humorous anecdotes. As his name suggests, Roger Penhallurick's roots are deep in Cornwall- formerly the world's largest tin producer, and still the greatest in Europe. So it is fitting that the Cornish section comprises almost half the book, for the first time collecting together all the evidence for tin streaming between 2000 BC and AD 1000. All surviving artifacts recovered from the tin workings are illustrated and put in their archaeological context. The book is lavishly illustrated throughout, including many rare old photos, and has a full bibliography of the wealth of sources that have contributed to this work.

First published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Papers presented at a symposium Metals in Antiquity held in 1997 at Harvard University, which sought to explore the distribution of metals in the natural environment, and extractive metallurgy and fabrication processes, as well as the social context, use and deposition of artefacts.

David A. Scott provides a detailed introduction to the structure and morphology of ancient and historic metallic materials. Much of the scientific research on this important topic has been inaccessible, scattered throughout the international literature, or unpublished; this volume, although not exhaustive in its coverage, fills an important need by assembling much of this information in a single source. Jointly published by the GCI and the J. Paul Getty Museum, the book deals with many practical matters relating to the mounting, preparation, etching, polishing, and microscopy of metallic samples and includes an account of the way in which phase diagrams can be used to assist in structural interpretation. The text is supplemented by an extensive number of microstructural studies carried out in the laboratory on ancient and historic metals. The student beginning the study of metallic materials and the conservation scientist who wishes to carry out structural studies of metallic objects of art will find this publication quite useful.

This book examines archaeometallurgy and the preservation of ancient materials for cultural heritage. Through understanding the internal structures of relevant ancient materials, their chemical composition, resistance, hardness, etc., their conservation can be more effectively addressed. Preserving cultural artifacts, such as those from border sites, funerary contexts (burials), railway lines, ceremonial sites and road infrastructure, is necessary to provide perspective to a culture’s trajectory. This book addresses how Reverse Engineering can disseminate knowledge of a culture’s heritage by offering technology that can help restore artifacts so they may be displayed and utilized as educational objects.

Surface finishing is a major subject in the field of metals. The artistic and technical development of decorative or protective finishes has produced some distinctive classes of metalwork in different parts of the world. Metal Plating and Patination is the most important reference work to be published surveying the surface treatments used from the inception of metallurgy to the present day.

Technical advancement has for millennia been intimately linked to the mining and production of metals, and this book provides a comprehensive history of the early development of extractive metallurgy. Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries and laboratory investigations, Paul Craddock brings together for the first time the evidence for the very inception of mining and smelting, showing that early techniques were often different from what was previously believed. The book presents much new material throughout and provides new interpretations and insights into many aspects of early metal production right through to the blast furnaces and high-temperature distillation units that heralded the Industrial Revolution. Integrating documentary evidence with metallurgical study and new information from archaeological excavations in Europe, India, North America, and China, this book gives a full and approachable synthesis of mining and metal production everywhere.

Demonstrates the way in which the discovery, application, and adaptation of materials has shaped the course of human history and the routines of our daily existence.