An archaeometallurgical study of Achaemenid copper-base artefacts from the Persepolis World Heritage Site, Iran.

• Multianalytical approach is used to study of fourteen Achaemenian copper-based artefacts from the Persepolis World Heritage Site (550–330 BCE). • The chemical analysis shows application of Cu-Sn, Cu-Sn-Pb and Cu-Zn to produce metal artefacts. • Achaemenian copper-based artefacts are manufactured with a range of shaping methods from casting to working-annealing. Achaemenid metalworking is an interesting example of art and craftsmanship in the ancient Near East. Although relevant studies have been made during the last few decades, these have not included copper-base metallurgical technology. In this paper fourteen copper-base artefacts from early excavations of the Persepolis World Heritage Site have been investigated in detail. These artefacts include ten arrowheads, two broken pins, thin metal strips (or parts of a bracelet) and part of a rod. Samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy; scanning electron microscopy + energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; and metallography. The results showed that most of the artefacts were made of tin bronze and leaded tin bronze. However, the bracelet was brass. The arrowheads were made by casting, and some were then annealed. The pins, bracelet and rod were secondary products obtained by cycles of cold-working and annealing. Of particular interest are the use of leaded tin bronze to cast the arrowheads and a brass to make the thin bracelet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]