Poreklo ostave iz pećine blaga u Nahal Mišmaru između difuzije i arheometrije
The Nahal Mishmar Hoard Provenance between Diffusion and Archaeometry

Summary/Abstract: The origin and spread of metallurgy have been one of the most extensively discussed topics of prehistoric archaeology since its early days onwards, with each paradigm shift bringing a new set of theoretical and methodological tools for answering these questions. In the present paper, the long history of research of the hoard of metal objects from the Cave of the Treasure at Nahal Mishmar is used to illustrate how various theoretical approaches and archaeometry can be used in order to answer the question regarding origin and meaning of technology. Over half a century has passed since the discovery of the hoard. Since then, numerous studies have been done on the objects from the hoard, usually with the aim of answering the same set of questions: who, where and with what resources made the objects in the hoard? And regardless of the research methods used, the conclusion always vaguely pointed towards Iranian Plateau, Caucasus and Anatolia as the source, either of finished objects or of metals used, with other parts of the question remaining unanswered. The fact that in spite of all the various approaches taken and analyses conducted these questions remained mostly unanswered means that it is time to reevaluate not only the approach, but also the way in which we formulate related research questions.

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