Copper production and supra-regional exchange networks – Cu-matte smelting in the Balkans between 2000 and 1500 BC

The Balkan Peninsula played a crucial role for the introduction of metallurgy during Copper Age and numerous archaeometallurgical examinations have delivered highly interesting insights on this topic. However, there is lack systematic analytical research copper ore smelting metal exchange later Bronze Age. In paper we focus first results slags from sites Ružana, Trnjane Čoka Njica, Eastern Serbia, complimented by discussion XRF lead isotope analyses carried out 28 copper-based artefacts. Importantly, radiocarbon dating these points to production already being undertaken at end Early (19th–18th centuries BC), more than 500 years earlier previously assumed. This enables us investigate flow 1st half 2nd millennium BC. metallurgical indicate matte process in small open pit furnaces use local sulfidic sources. fact that intensive activities Serbia can be paralleled with early hotspots central Europe e.g. Hochkönig (Mitterberg mining areas) sheds new light development based Europe. At same time, evidence shows area was source raw material bronze alloys providing regional supra-regional perspective. Furthermore, our revealed remarkable result, start Middle (ca. 1700 BC) Northern Italian areas Trentino region also reached western Balkans.