Neolithic copper finds from the Canton of Lucerne (Switzerland)

Nielsen, Ebbe Holm (2016). Neolithic copper finds from the Canton of Lucerne (Switzerland). Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt, 46(2), pp. 149-165. Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Mainz

Text Copper_AKBl_Nielsen.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (6MB) | Request a copy

Neolithic copper artefacts are known from the central Swiss canton of Lucerne. The area belongs to the western fringe of the middle Neolithic distribution of copper casting technology. Two axes were found in culture layers and can be
assigned to the classical Cortaillod Culture. The remaining pieces are without archaeological context, but presumably belong to the same culture. Particularly noteworthy is an axe which probably dates back to around 4000 BC. Thus the axe would be somewhat earlier than the middle Neolithic copper horizon that is associated with the expansion of thePfyn Culture at approx. 3800 BC. A dagger with rivet holes, and a supposed fragment of another dagger, are so far unique for the Swiss middle Neolithic. Comparable finds are known from neighbouring southwest Germany, however, as is the case for an assumed pendant made of copper sheet. The axes are all made of copper with a rather high Content of arsenic, whereas all other artefacts are made of arsenic-free raw material.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

57 since deposited on 29 Nov 2016
8 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item