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FLAME Project Publications

This page links and, where possible, accessible copies of all of the publications arising from the FLAME project and the approaches (theoretical and practical) which it adopts. Follow us on Wordpress, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our RSS feed to recieve updates on new and upcoming publications.
If you have any difficulty accessing these resources or have any questions, contact us directly and we will try to help


Schematic of Recycling Patterns

Mutable objects, places and chronologies

Sainsbury, V.A., Bray, P., Gosden, C. and Pollard, A.M. (2021) Mutable objects, places and chronologies. Antiquity 95, 215-227.


Map of China

A new perspective towards the debate on highly radiogenic lead in Chinese archaeometallurgy

Liu, R., Hsu,Y-K; Pollard, A.M.; Chen, G. (2021) A new perspective towards the debate on highly radiogenic lead in Chinese archaeometallurgy. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 13.33.


Image of the Borodino Hoard

The analysis and interpretation of the gold, silver and copper alloy artefacts in the Borodino Treasure

Hommel, P., Bray, P.J., Khvostikov, V.A., Karandashev, V.K., Yu, Loboda, A., Kolchin, A.S, and Shishlina, NI. (2020) ИЗУЧЕНИЕ СЕРЕБРЯНЫХ ИЗДЕЛИЙ БОРОДИНСКОГО КЛАДА: НОВОЕ ОБ ИЗВЕСТНОМ (The analysis and interpretation of the gold, silver and copper alloy artefacts in the Borodino Treasure). In N. Shishlina (ed.) Borodino Treasure of the Heroic Era of the Bronze Age: natural science and historical context, 136-152. Proceedings of the State Historical Museum, Moscow. Moscow (In Russia).


Map of China

Bronze Alloying Practice in Ancient China - Evidence from Pre-Qin Coin Analyses

Pollard, A.M. and Liu, R. (2021) Bronze Alloying Practice in Ancient China - Evidence from Pre-Qin Coin Analyses. Journal of Archaeological Science 126, 105322.


Hierarchy of object data

FLAME‐D Database: An Integrated System for the Study of Archaeometallurgy

Perucchetti L., Bray, P., Felicetti A., Sainsbury, V., Howarth, P., Saunders, M.K., Hommel, P. and Pollard, M. (2020). FLAME‐D Database: An Integrated System for the Study of Archaeometallurgy. Archaeometry Early View.


Map of China

Social hierarchy and the recycling of metal at Anyang, the Capital of Bronze Age China

Liu, R., Pollard, A.M., Cao, Q., Liu, C., Sainsbury, V., Howarth, P., Bray, P., Huan, L., Yao, B., Fu, Y., and Tang, J. (2020). Social hierarchy and the recycling of metal at Anyang, the Capital of Bronze Age China. Scientific Reports 10, 18794.


Map of China

What is a dagger?

Perucchetti, L., Northover, J.P., AND David-Elbialic, M. (2020). What is a dagger? A metallurgical interpretation of three metal daggers from western Switzerland dated from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 30, 102251.


Map of China

Lead isotopic analyses of copper ores in the Early Bronze Age central Hexi Corridor, north-west China

Chen, G., Cui, Y., Liu, R., Wang, H., Yang, Y., Pollard, A.M. and Li, Y., (2020)Lead isotopic analyses of copper ores in the Early Bronze Age central Hexi Corridor, north-west China. Archaeometry 62, 952-964.


Map of the British Isles

Modelling Roman concepts of copper-alloy recycling and mutability

Bray. P.J. (2020) Modelling Roman concepts of copper-alloy recycling and mutability: the chemical characterisation hypothesis and Roman Britain. In C. Duckworth and A. Wilson (eds.) Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy. Oxford, Oxford Studies on the Roman Economy.


Pownall

Archaeometallurgical chemistry 1870-1920: The high point of gravimetric analysis.

Pollard, A.M. (2020, from 2018). Archaeometallurgical chemistry 1870-1920: The high point of gravimetric analysis. Historical Metallurgy 52(2), 110-117


Map of Spain

Mapping the flow:

Gibson, C., Bray, P.J., Cleary, K., Fernández-Palacios, F., and Koch, J. (2019) Mapping the flow: introduction to Atlantic Europe and the Metal Ages Project. In D. Brandherm, (ed.) Aspects of the Bronze Age in the Atlantic Archipelago and Beyond, 77-100. Hagen, Westf.: Curach Bhán Publications


Map of China

Metallurgy at the Crossroads: New Analyses of Copper‐based Objects at Tianshanbeilu, Eastern Xinjiang, China

Liu, C., Liu, R. Zhou, P., Lu, C., Yang, Z., Pollard, A.M., Hommel, P., Ma, J., Cui, J., Bray, P., Tong, J., and Rawson, J. (2020). Metallurgy at the Crossroads: New Analyses of Copper‐based Objects at Tianshanbeilu, Eastern Xinjiang, China. Acta Geologica Sinica 94, 594-602.


Map of the British Isles

Analysis of an Early Bronze Age Axe from Little Sark

Bray, P.J. and Gilmour, B. (2020) Analysis of an Early Bronze Age Axe from Little Sark. In B. Cunliffe (ed.) Sark: A Sacred Island?, 333-334. Oxford


Map of China

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining: using silver concentration to identify the number of sources of lead used in Shang Dynasty

Liu, R., Pollard, A.M., Liu, C. and Rawson, J. (2020). Every Cloud has a Silver Lining: using silver concentration to identify the number of sources of lead used in Shang Dynasty. Acta Geologica Sinica 94, 585-593.


Map of Spain

Mapping archaeometallurgical data of the Iberian Copper Age: Different ways to look at a big picture

Perucchetti L., Montero-Ruiz, I. and Bray, P.(2020). Mapping archaeometallurgical data of the Iberian Copper Age: Different ways to look at a big picture. Journal of Archaeological Science 119, 105165


Pownall

Johann Christian Wiegleb and the first published chemical analyses of archaeological bronzes.

Pollard, A.M. (2020, from 2018). Johann Christian Wiegleb and the first published chemical analyses of archaeological bronzes. Historical Metallurgy 52(2), 48-54


Map of China

Panlongcheng, Zhengzhou and the Movement of Metal in Early Bronze Age China

Liu, R. Pollard, A.M., Rawson, J., Tang, X. and Zhang, C. (2019). Panlongcheng, Zhengzhou and the Movement of Metal in Early Bronze Age China. Journal of World Prehistory 32, 393–428


Map of the British Isles

Biography, prosopography, and the density of scientific data

Bray, P.J. (2019) Biography, prosopography, and the density of scientific data: Some arguments from the metallurgy of Early Bronze Age Britain and Ireland. In Armada, X.-L., Murillo Barosso, M., and Charlton, M. (eds) Metals, minds and mobility: Integrating scientific data with archaeological theory. 123-134. Oxford: Oxbow Books


Map of China

China's major Late Neolithic centres and the rise of Erlitou

Zhang, C., Pollard, A.M., Rawson, J., Huan, L., Liu, R. and Tang, X. (2019). China's major Late Neolithic centres and the rise of Erlitou. Antiquity 93, 588-603.


Form and flow

The Provenance, Use, and Circulation of Metals in the European Bronze Age

Radivojević, M, Roberts, B.W., Pernicka, E., Stos-Gale, Z., Martinón-Torres, M., Rehren, T., Bray, P., Brandherm, D., Ling, J., Mei, J-J., Vandkilde, H., Kristiansen, K., Shennan, S.J., and Broodbank, C. (2019) The Provenance, Use, and Circulation of Metals in the European Bronze Age: The State of Debate. Journal of Archaeological Research. 27: 131-185


Map of China

From alloy composition to alloying practice: Chinese bronzes

Pollard, A.M., Liu, R., Rawson, J. and Tang, X. (2019). From alloy composition to alloying practice: Chinese bronzes. Archaeometry 61, 70-82.


Map of Spain

Chemistry and Bronze Age metals in Atlantic Europe: Flows of ideas and material

Bray, P.J. (2019) Chemistry and Bronze Age metals in Atlantic Europe: Flows of ideas and material. In B. Cunliffe and J. Koch (eds.) Exploring Celtic Origins, 117-153. Oxford: Oxbow


Map of China

Beyond ritual bronzes: multiple sources of radiogenic lead used across Chinese history

Liu, R., Pollard, A.M. and Rawson, J. (2018). Beyond ritual bronzes: multiple sources of radiogenic lead used across Chinese history. Nature Scientific Reports 8, Article number: 11770.


Map of China

Some recently rediscovered analyses of Chinese bronzes from Oxford

Pollard, A.M., Rawson, J. and Liu, R. (2018). Some recently rediscovered analyses of Chinese bronzes from Oxford. Archaeometry 60 118-127.


Map of China

Application of kernel density estimates to lead isotope compositions of bronzes from Ningxia, Northwest China.

Hsu, Y.-K., Rawson, J., Pollard, A.M. Ma, Q., Luo, F., Yao, P.-H. and Shen, C.-C. (2018). Application of kernel density estimates to lead isotope compositions of bronzes from Ningxia, Northwest China. Archaeometry 60 128-143.


Cover of Beyond Provenance

Beyond Provenance: The interpretation of chemical and isotopic data in archaeological bronzes.

Pollard, A.M. with Bray, P., Cuénod, A., Hommel, P., Hsu, Y.-K., Liu, R., Perucchetti, L., Pouncett, J., and Saunders, M. (2018). Beyond Provenance: The interpretation of chemical and isotopic data in archaeological bronzes. Studies in Archaeological Science: University of Leuven Press


Map of China

Revisiting lead isotope data in Shang and Western Zhou bronzes.

Jin, Z.Y., Liu, R., Rawson, J. and Pollard, A.M. (2017). Revisiting lead isotope data in Shang and Western Zhou bronzes. Antiquity 91 1574-1587.


Map of China

Revisiting the movement of metal between Zhengzhou and Panlongcheng in early Bronze Age China

Ruiliang, L., Pollard, A.M., Rawson, J. and Xiaojia, T. (2017). 共性、差异与解读:运用牛津研究体系探究早商郑州与盘龙城之间的金属流通 (Revisiting the movement of metal between Zhengzhou and Panlongcheng in early Bronze Age China). Jianghan Kaogu, 111-121 (In Chinese).


Map of China

Lead isotope analyses revealed the key role of Chang’an in the mirror production and distribution network during the Han dynasty

Zhangsun, Y.Z.; Lui, R.L., Jin, Z.Y., Pollard, A.M., Lu, X., Bray, P.J, Fan, A. and Huang, F. (2017). Lead isotope analyses revealed the key role of Chang’an in the mirror production and distribution network during the Han dynasty. Archaeometry 59 685-713.


Map of China

Bronze Age metal circulation in China

Pollard, A.M., Bray, P., Hommel, P., Hsu, Y.-K., Liu, R. and Rawson, J. (2017). Bronze Age metal circulation in China. Antiquity 91 674-687.


Map of China

Applying the Oxford System to further understand Bronzes in China

Pollard, A.M., Bray, P., Hommel, P., Hsu, Y.-K., Liu, R., and Rawson, J. (2017). 牛津研究体系在中国古代青铜器研究中的应用 (Applying the Oxford System to further understand Bronzes in China). Kaogu 1 95-106 (In Chinese).


Bronze Age metal circulation in China

Bronze Age metal circulation in China

A.M. Pollard, P. Bray, P. Hommel, Y.-K. Hsu, R. Liu and J. Rawson (2017). Bronze Age metal circulation in ChinaAntiquity 91 674–687.


Applying Oxford System to further understand bronzes in ancient China

Applying Oxford System to further understand bronzes in ancient China

Pollard, A. M., P. Bray, P. Hommel, Y.-K. Hsu, R. Liu, and J. Rawson (2017). Applying Oxford System to further understand bronzes in ancient China 牛津研究体系在中国古代青铜器研究中的应用Kaogu 2017(1), 95-106.


Lead Isotope Analyses of Han Dynasty Mirrors

Lead Isotope Analyses of Han Dynasty Mirrors

Zhangsun, Y. Z., Liu, R. L., Jin, Z. Y., Pollard, A. M., Lu, X., Bray, P. J., Huang, F. (2017). Lead Isotope Analyses Revealed the Key Role of Chang'an in the Mirror Production and Distribution Network During the Han DynastyArchaeometry


Revisiting lead isotope data in Shang and Western Zhou bronzes

Revisiting lead isotope data in Shang and Western Zhou bronzes

Jin, Z.Y., Liu, R., Rawson, J. and Pollard, A.M. (2017). Revisiting lead isotope data in Shang and Western Zhou bronzes. Antiquity 91 1574-1587.


Map of Britain

Metal, metalwork and specialisation

Bray, P.J. (2016) Metal, metalwork and specialisation: The chemical composition of British Bronze Age swords in context. In Koch, J.T and Cunliffe, B.W. (eds.) Celtic from the West 3 : Atlantic Europe in the Metal Ages : questions of shared language. Oxford: Oxbow Books


Revisiting the movement of metal between Zhengzhou and Panlongcheng

Revisiting the movement of metal between Zhengzhou and Panlongcheng in early Bronze Age China

Liu R., A.M. Pollard, J. Rawson and X. Tang (2017). 共性、差异与解读:运用牛津研究体系探究早商郑州与盘龙城之间的金属流通 (Revisiting the movement of metal between Zhengzhou and Panlongcheng in early Bronze Age China). Jianghan Kaogu, 111-121 (In Chinese).


Map of Britain

The Saltonstall Early Bronze Age Axe

Bray, P.J. (2016) The Saltonstall Early Bronze Age Axe, Prehistoric Yorkshire, 53: 99-103


front page

The first hundred years of archaeometallurgical chemistry

Pollard, A.M. (2016). The first hundred years of archaeometallurgical chemistry: Pownall (1775) to von Bibra (1869). Historical Metallurgy 49(1), 37–49. Antiquity 88 625-631.


Map of Russia

Tracing the flows of copper and copper alloys in the Early Iron Age societies of the eastern Eurasian steppe

Hsu, Y.K., Bray, P.J., Hommel, P., Pollard, A.M., and Rawson, J. (2016). Tracing the flows of copper and copper alloys in the Early Iron Age societies of the eastern Eurasian steppe. Antiquity 90 357-375.


Form and flow

The Archaeological Bazaar

Pollard, A.M. and Bray, P.J. (2015) The Archaeological Bazaar: Scientific methods for sale? Or: ‘Putting the ‘Arch-’ back into Archaeometry’ In A. Wylie and B. Chapman (Eds.) Material Culture as Evidence. London: Routledge


Map of Iran and Mesopotamia

The ‘tin problem’ in the Near East

Cuénod, A., Bray, P. and Pollard, A.M. (2015). The ‘tin problem’ in the Near East – further insights from a study of chemical datasets on copper alloys from Iran and Mesopotamia. Iran LIII 29-48.


Lead Isotopes

A new method for combining lead isotope and lead abundance data to characterise archaeological copper alloys

Pollard, A.M. and Bray, P.J. (2015). A new method for combining lead isotope and lead abundance data to characterise archaeological copper alloys. Archaeometry 57 996–1008.


Map of the Italian Alps

Physical barriers, cultural connections

Perucchetti, L., Bray, P., Dolfini, A. and Pollard, A.M. (2015). Physical barriers, cultural connections: prehistoric metallurgy in the Alpine region. European Journal of Archaeology 18 599–632.


Map of the British Isles

The role and use of daggers in British Early Bronze Age society

Bray, P.J. (2015) The role and use of daggers in British Early Bronze Age society: Insights from their chemical composition. In J. Hunter and A. Woodward (eds.) Ritual in Early Bronze Age Grave Groups. Oxford: Oxbow Books


Map of China

Chemical analysis of ancient Chinese Bronzes

Liu, R., Bray, P., Pollard, A.M., and Hommel, P. (2015). Chemical analysis of ancient Chinese Bronzes: past, present and future. Archaeological Research in Asia 3 1–8, July 2015 (doi:10.1016/j.ara.2015.04.002).


Map of the British Isles

Characterising copper-based metals in Britain in the First Millennium AD

Pollard, A.M., Bray, P., Gosden, C., Wilson, A. and Hamerow, H. (2015). Characterising copper-based metals in Britain in the First Millennium AD: A preliminary quantification of metal flow and recycling. Antiquity 89 697–713.


Form and flow

Form and flow

Bray, P., Cuénod, A., Gosden, C., Hommel, P., Liu, R. and Pollard, A.M. (2015). Form and flow: the ‘karmic cycle’ of copper. Journal of Archaeological Science 56 202-209.


Archaeometallurgy in Global Perspective cover

Chemical and isotopic studies of ancient metals

Pollard, A.M. and Bray, P. (2014). Chemical and isotopic studies of ancient metals. In Roberts B.W. and Thornton C.P. (eds.) Archaeometallurgy in Global Perspective, Springer: New York, pp. 217-237.


front page

Is there something missing in scientific provenance studies of prehistoric artefacts?

Pollard, A.M., Bray, P.J. and Gosden, C. (2014). Is there something missing in scientific provenance studies of prehistoric artefacts? Antiquity 88 625-631.


A New Approach

A new interpretative approach to the chemistry of copper-alloy objects

Bray, P.J. and Pollard, A.M. (2012). A new interpretative approach to the chemistry of copper-alloy objects: source, recycling and technology. Antiquity 86 853-867.

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