Identification of Fazael 2 (4000–3900 BCE) as first lost wax casting workshop in the Chalcolithic Southern Levant

Abstract Apart from many lost wax cast metal fragments, crucible fragments and several heated sediment nodules were found at the Chalcolithic site Fazael 2 (central Jordan Valley). Petrographic investigations on revealed features characteristic of Southern Levantine casting moulds. Heating temperatures assessed using infrared spectroscopy, showing that did not vitrify clay fraction in Consequently, is first identified Levant production for items. These findings confirm existence a metallurgical tradition with Valley parallel to unalloyed copper metallurgy Northern Negev. Moreover, crucibles are made local ferruginous loess, material mentioned previous studies mould fragments. Therefore, more than one such must be assumed.