event · evt_srsc1_colchian_copper_production_landscape
Expansion and persistence of copper production in ancient Colchis
Smelting sites, slag, crucibles, ore selection, alloying, and recycling document extensive copper and bronze production across western Georgian uplands and lowlands.
What is the evidence?
observation
Smelting sites, slag, crucibles, ore selection, alloying, and recycling document extensive copper and bronze production across western Georgian uplands and lowlands.Multiple scientific studies support the production landscape; organization, labour, and political oversight remain uncertain.
Inspect the sources →Review and provenance
Specialist reviewer: not recorded. Review date: not recorded.
Dataset workflow: proposed. This is separate from specialist review.
Confidence describes the stated assessment; it does not certify expert approval. How review works.
Chronology
Dating intervals may describe uncertainty or phases; their width alone does not establish event duration.
1500 BCE–800 BCE
Precision: range
Chronology model: release preferred synthesis
highPreferred display range synthesized from the cited source roles. It preserves a range and does not imply every component occurred continuously or synchronously.
- supports · provides archaeometallurgical observation
Crucible Technologies in the Late Bronze–Early Iron Age South Caucasus: Copper Processing, Tin Bronze Production, and the Possibility of Local Tin Ores — Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo, Brian J. J. Gilmour, Nana Khakhutaishvili (2015)Documents copper processing and tin bronze production.
Locator: Crucible analyses and alloying discussion - supports · provides archaeometallurgical observation
Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Copper Smelting Technologies in the South Caucasus: The View from Ancient Colchis c. 1500–600 BC — Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo, Brian J. J. Gilmour, Nana Khakhutaishvili (2014)Documents smelting technologies c. 1500–600 BCE.
Locator: Technological results and chronological synthesis - supports · supports distribution
Copper Production Landscapes of the South Caucasus — Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo, Brian J. J. Gilmour, Nana Khakhutaishvili (2017)Supports dispersed production and multiple ore sources.
Locator: Landscape survey and conclusions - supports · provides spatial analysis
Spatial Investigation of Technological Choice and Recycling in Copper-Base Metallurgy of the South Caucasus — J. W. I. Ho, Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo (2021)Adds production-choice and recycling evidence.
Locator: Spatial alloying and recycling results
Interpretation and caveats
The production landscape was dispersed among many localities. High aggregate output does not by itself demonstrate centralized control by a Colchian kingdom.
Event context
Classification
Event type: distributed copper production
Evidence layer: archaeological
Timeline role: regional core
People and places
Locations: Colchian archaeological tradition, Western Georgia and Colchian lowlands, Eastern Black Sea coastal interaction zone
Why it matters to the timeline
The event directly addresses western Georgia, Colchis, mines, metallurgy, tin, copper, exchange, and settlement landscapes.
Research notes
- Documents smelting technologies c. 1500–600 BCE. Role: provides archaeometallurgical observation. Locator: Technological results and chronological synthesis.
- Supports dispersed production and multiple ore sources. Role: supports distribution. Locator: Landscape survey and conclusions.
- Documents copper processing and tin bronze production. Role: provides archaeometallurgical observation. Locator: Crucible analyses and alloying discussion.
- Adds production-choice and recycling evidence. Role: provides spatial analysis. Locator: Spatial alloying and recycling results.
Evidence and sources
- supports · provides archaeometallurgical observation
Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Copper Smelting Technologies in the South Caucasus: The View from Ancient Colchis c. 1500–600 BC — Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo, Brian J. J. Gilmour, Nana Khakhutaishvili (2014)Documents smelting technologies c. 1500–600 BCE.
Locator: Technological results and chronological synthesis - supports · supports distribution
Copper Production Landscapes of the South Caucasus — Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo, Brian J. J. Gilmour, Nana Khakhutaishvili (2017)Supports dispersed production and multiple ore sources.
Locator: Landscape survey and conclusions - supports · provides archaeometallurgical observation
Crucible Technologies in the Late Bronze–Early Iron Age South Caucasus: Copper Processing, Tin Bronze Production, and the Possibility of Local Tin Ores — Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo, Brian J. J. Gilmour, Nana Khakhutaishvili (2015)Documents copper processing and tin bronze production.
Locator: Crucible analyses and alloying discussion - supports · provides spatial analysis
Spatial Investigation of Technological Choice and Recycling in Copper-Base Metallurgy of the South Caucasus — J. W. I. Ho, Nathaniel L. Erb-Satullo (2021)Adds production-choice and recycling evidence.
Locator: Spatial alloying and recycling results