Производња бакра у Мајданпеку шездесетих и седамдесетих година 16. века
Copper Production in Majdanpek During 1560s and 1570s

Summary/Abstract: Very little is known about the copper production in the Central Balkan mines during the Middle Ages and the Ottoman Empire. Until the second half of XVI century and the opening of the Majdanpek mine, copper production was sporadic, and took place in lead or zinc mines, with silver as the main product. The most important sources about the copper production in Majdanpek are annual accounts of the mine, where quantities of ore and pure copper were noted, as well as their prices, datas about mine leasers and mine administration, tax revenues etc. Such sources are quite rare and partial, so it is quite an exceptional situation that we have a series of ten connected accounts, between 1564 and 1574. This time period is very important for Majdanpek, as it covers the early period of mine's operation, first rents, and opening of new mines. The copper content in the ore was very high in the mine of Majdanpek, in 1565/66 even 38.3 per cent, which could be explained only by frequent findings of autochthonous copper. Inspite of that the production was stagnant, on the average 50 to 60 tons per year. That is why leasers had great difficulties to pay the rent, so the state took over the administration of the mine. The Porte's measures, following by the lease of the Jewish company, influenced opening of the new mine in Majdanpek, in Spring 1572. After that, in less than three years, total amount of ore produced increased several times. It reached the level of 500 tons per year. Copper production continued to increase after the period covered by graphs, which could be confirmed also by the constant increase in lease prices. In 1578. lease of Majdanpek amounted to 1.300.000 akçes which is three times more than in 1574. Based on the accounting data, one could conclude that the copper price was not fixed, but depended on the mine production, cost of exploitation, and market demand. It was notable that the price of copper fell sharply after the opening of the new mine, which, apart from the larger production, could have been helped by the cheaper exploitation. The data mentioned in this paper relate to copper produced in forges under state administration and mine's managers. That copper could be recognized by the brand. It was the sign that it was legally produced, and that the owner fulfilled all the obligations towards the state. Unbranded copper was confiscated, and people who had it were severely punished. Even with bans, there was an illegal copper production in Majdanpek, including numerous local cauldron makers. They bought unbranded copper at much lower prices, and making cauldrons and other things, thus destroying evidence about itsorigin. This was so widespread, that in 1576. the Belgrade superintendent of imperial revenue even demanded that the Porte officially ban the cauldron makers' craft in Majdanpek. There were other examples of illegal business, most of which related to breaking the export ban, so the Majdanpek cop

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