Early metallurgy in parts of Eurasia

Abstract

The history of Late Bronze Age copper-producing cultures in Eurasia- bordering on Scandinavia in the west and China in the east- and the occurrence and chemical composition of certain copper-base artefacts have been studied. The domestication of the horse and its use as a mounted animal brought the contacts of far-away situ-ated cultures closer and contributed to the spread of artefacts. The close similarity, in manufacturing techniques and shape, of some Bronze Age artefacts such as horse-heads, bridles and knives often decorated with animal-motifs, has been observed. There are indications of an early transmittance of bronze artefacts over this vast region.