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Metallurgical Analysis of a Hopewell Copper Earspool

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Arlene L. Fraikor
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado
James J. Hester
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado
Frederick J. Fraikor
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado

Abstract

A prehistoric Hopewell copper earspool was analyzed by a number of metallurgical techniques including transmission electron microscopy. While optical photomicrographs and micro-hardness data suggest that the final fabrication process was annealing, transmission electron microscopy indicates that some final cold working was applied. This paper illustrates a new application of physical analytical techniques to archaeology.

Type
Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1971

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