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       Bronze Key, ring key lock pin Roman         Bronze Key, ring key lock pin Roman       Bronze container handle and chest hinge

                   1^st – 4^th Century                                              1^st – 4^th Century                                             1^st – 4^th Century

ANCIENT BRONZE AND IRON ARTIFACTS

By Paul McIsaac from Ancient Shapes

 From earliest times in Mesopotamia people used three metals: gold, silver, and copper. Copper was the first metal used for industrial purposes, that is, for making weapons and tools.  Until 1000 BC, bronze was the most important metal used for industrial purposes, particularly by the Romans.

     Bronze pots and pans, belt buckles, brooches, clothes fasteners, keys, key locks, hinges, chains, armor, military decoration items, chariot cart mounts, belt mounts, strap studs, terret rings (horse)—the list goes on. Production of metal was central to the success of the Roman Empire.

     As bronze ages its colour changes from a bright gold to green or brown leaving a wonderful looking patina. The patina on bronze artifacts builds up over time and is a significant benchmark to determine the age of bronze.

The use of tools made of iron began to increase after 1000 BC. Some of the most common iron objects manufactured at the time were arrowheads, fire starters and knives.

Where do they come from?

     Ancient artifacts are more common than is generally believed. Most ancient cultures existed for long periods of time, had large territories and populations of millions of people. At the peak of the Roman Empire (100 - 300AD) the population was 50-60 million. Bronze and iron artifacts of the ancient world have not been destroyed; they were just buried.

     European metal detector enthusiasts are continually finding small ancient bronze and iron artifacts. Occasionally high-grade artifacts are found. An artifact of significant rarity is usually confiscated by the authorities for museum display. Metal detector enthusiasts have maps identifying ancient battlefields (usually farm areas today).

     Most countries in Europe restrict the export of ancient artifacts making the supply of such items at risk in the future; however over the last few years most low-cost, small ancient bronze and iron artifacts are coming from Eastern Europe. They are abundantly available and easily exported with little or no restrictions. A special license is usually required from the country that allows export of high-grade artifacts. A license is not usually required with the export of small bronze or iron artifacts. It has become obvious to experienced antiquity dealers that items like bronze brooches, iron arrowheads and fire starters are indeed genuine.

    Expensive relics made of gold or silver such as coins and jewellery are more likely to be reproduced or faked.

Large bronze relics also need to be studied carefully for authenticity. Reference books are used to categorise and date (to the nearest century) each item. It would be unrealistic for anyone to reproduce small ancient artifacts made from bronze or iron and make a reasonable financial gain. At present these items are inexpensive.

Supplying Ancient Artifacts

    Paul and Janis McIsaac from Ancient Shapes import ancient artifacts as described above. Since both are very interested in some aspects of ancient history, they decided to set up a small business to market their ideas relating to their collections. They take Roman and Medieval artifacts to make jewellery items and place objects like arrowheads, brooches, coins, fire starters, and buckles etc into photo frames. They choose items that are easy to identify and research all items that they sell supplying a written statement that details each artifact..

Dec 06/Jan07 Archaeological Diggings