Diverse strategies for copper production in Chalcolithic Iberia

Our understanding of early copper metallurgy in the Iberian Peninsula is mostly based on analysis from well-studied regions Southeast and Southwest. This paper focuses two recently recovered Chalcolithic metallurgical assemblages outside these traditional research foci: slagged crucibles Lugar Viejo III (Zaragoza) large slag cakes Cueva del Cañaveralejo (Córdoba). Analysis compositions microstructures artifacts using optical microscopy scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) suggests they are related to primary production, namely smelting crucible-furnaces under relatively oxidizing conditions, as standard for this period. The layers indicate production with minor amounts arsenic, also typical Of special note use organic temper Viejo, a practice found at nearby site Moncín but rare other sites Iberia. However, slags atypical their size (approx. 125 g each), fayalitic composition, unusual efficiency demonstrated by low content, lack arsenic; furthermore, high sulfur content raises possibility sulfidic ores. Results both compared against published data well-known such Los Millares, Las Pilas, Almizaraque, Bauma Serrat Pont. new reinforce interpretation low-skilled, conservative technology need more into regional variations. (See Supplementary Data 1 summary Spanish).