NEW FIND OF COPPER ITEMS OF THE TRYPILLIA CULTURE FROM THE DNISTER AND THE SOUTHERN BUG RIVERS BASIN

Abstract

Metal items are rare at the settlements of the Cucuteni-Trypillia Cultural Complex during archaeological investigations. The investigation of the five recently found items were performed by X-ray fluorescence and metallographic methods. The results of the investigation are presented in the article. The origin of the items was from such settlements as Hariachkivka 8, Trostianchyk and Andriivka, belonged to BI-BII and BII stages of the Trypillia culture. It has been established that all items are made of melted copper. Forging of billet took place in a hot state. They were repeatedly heated and got a significant deformation. The forging temperature decreased till the edge. Smith welding was traced both visually and with the help of metallographic analysis on two awls from the Andriivka and Trostianchyk settlements. The popularity of welding in the production of piercing tools is typical for metalworking of Trypillia middle stages. According to N. V. Ryndina the copper was imported in the form of metal strips, which are sometimes found at the settlements.

Keywords

• trypillia culture
• copper items
• metallographic and x-ray fluorescence methods