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Archaeological Copper (Cu) and Copper Alloys

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The Archaeologist’s Manual for Conservation

Conclusion

In many ways the durable nature of copper and its alloys lends itself to trouble-free conservation. Artifacts of copper and its alloys brass and bronze, are durable and long lasting. They will survive well in the archaeological record and if their corrosion product is reduced and plated once again as pure metal on the artifact they may well envisage the same detail they had when they were in active use. The artifacts detailed micro-excavation should easily provide details of manufacturing and wear that will not be as well preserved on other metals. Yet these details will only be revealed if the artifact is protected and conserved from the moment it is archaeologically located, until after it goes into final storage.

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Chapter 4: Archaeological Copper (Cu) And Copper Alloys

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(2004). Archaeological Copper (Cu) and Copper Alloys. In: The Archaeologist’s Manual for Conservation. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48613-X_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48613-X_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-48466-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-306-48613-5

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