Early Balkan Metallurgy: Origins, Evolution and Society, 6200–3700 BC

Abstract This paper analyses and re-evaluates current explanations interpretations of the origins, development societal context metallurgy in Balkans (c. 6200–3700 BC). The early this region encompasses production, distribution consumption copper, gold, tin bronze, lead silver. draws upon a wide range existing archaeometallurgical archaeological data, diversity depth which make one most intensively investigated all metallurgical heartlands across world. We focus specifically on ongoing debates relating to (1) independent invention innovation different metals metal production techniques; (2) analysis interpretation cores peripheries, their collapses; (3) relationships between metals, society. argue that throughout period reflects changes organisation communities patterns cooperation, rather than being fundamental basis for emergence elites an increasingly hierarchical