METALLURGY OF COPPER IN THE CONTEXT OF METALLOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF ARCHEOLOGICAL MATERIALS EXCAVATED AT THE MARKET SQUARE IN KRAKOW

摘要

The paper looks at the history of copper exploitation and smelting from ancient times. Historical background serves the purpose of presenting research issues associated with archaeological samples gained through excavations at the Market Square in Krakow that is semi-products deriving from the copper and ore recovery process. Copper imported from the area of the present-day Slovakia was given the greatest importance in medieval Poland. Krakow then played a key role in the European copper trade. In the 15~(th) century, a copper smelter in Mogila near Krakow handled raw copper rafination. Availability of raw materials enabled rapid development of foundry. Traces of activities associated with metal (mostly copper and lead) preparation for trading and production date back to the 13~(th) century; the peak period was the 15~(th) century. The said materials expand the database of metallographic analysis of archaeological materials and provide opportunities for comparison of local finds with domestic and European collections; this in turn will contribute to better understanding of old metallurgical and foundry processes.