Guntram Gassmann, Sabine Klein, Andreas Schäfer, Elias Welk, Katrin Wester

Investigating Pre-Columbian Gold and Copper in Costa Rica – Ores, Mines and Artefact Production

Introduction

Investigating pre-columbian gold and copper in costa rica – ores, mines and artefact production. Explore pre-Columbian gold and copper metallurgy in Costa Rica. Research combines archaeological & geochemical analysis of ores, mines, and artifacts to reconstruct production and provenance.

Abstract

The wealth of pre-Columbian gold, copper and guanín (an alloy consisting mainly of gold and copper; also tumbaga) artwork of Costa Rica suggests that exploitation of its abundant ore deposits goes back way before the Spanish conquest. The name of Costa Rica itself, in fact alludes to the large numbers of golden metal objects worn by the indigenous peoples upon arrival of the conquistadors. Up to now, however, very little is known about pre-Columbian mining in the country or the raw material provenance of these artefacts. In a transdisciplinary project, we aim to reconstruct the metallurgical process chain by combining (mining) archaeological research with geochemical analysis of local ores and metal artefacts using a combination of different techniques. We identified four major gold and copper districts with different mineralisation types, which are the focus of our fieldwork-based research. They are surveyed for potential signs of pre-Columbian metal production and sampled for ores and their processing remains. On the other side of the process chain, we focus on the metal artefacts in museum collections. They are systematically registered in a database, which serves as a basis to identify correlations with the geochemical signatures of the artefacts, and to retrace potential links to possible areas of origin or different workshops. Once the necessary basic data have been collected, we will focus on economic and socio-cultural aspects of metal production and circulation. The results from Costa Rica will be put into perspective of New World early metallurgy and can provide a starting point for future research between Mesoamerica and the Isthmo-Colombian region. A versioning of the article was necessary because a literature citation in the reference list had to be revised.

Review

The submitted work, "Investigating Pre-Columbian Gold and Copper in Costa Rica – Ores, Mines and Artefact Production," outlines a highly ambitious and much-needed research project. The abstract clearly articulates a significant gap in our understanding of pre-Columbian metallurgy in Costa Rica, despite the historical evidence of abundant metalwork and the very name of the country. By proposing to reconstruct the entire metallurgical process chain, from ore exploitation to artefact production and circulation, the project directly addresses a fundamental lack of data regarding raw material provenance and ancient mining practices. The transdisciplinary approach, integrating archaeological research with advanced geochemical analysis, is particularly commendable and essential for tackling such a complex historical and scientific challenge. The methodology described appears robust and comprehensive. The identification of four major gold and copper districts as focal points for fieldwork, including surveys for pre-Columbian mining evidence and sampling of ores, demonstrates a systematic approach to the raw material end of the process chain. Equally important is the focus on systematically cataloging and geochemically analyzing metal artefacts from museum collections. This crucial step, supported by the development of a database for identifying correlations, promises to establish meaningful links between raw materials and finished products, potentially retracing origins or workshops. The abstract also prudently notes future phases of research, which will delve into economic and socio-cultural aspects, highlighting the project's long-term vision and potential for profound insights beyond mere material identification. The anticipated outcomes of this research hold substantial promise for enriching the broader understanding of early metallurgy in the New World, specifically bridging the knowledge gap between Mesoamerica and the Isthmo-Colombian region. The project's findings are poised to provide foundational data for future comparative studies and to stimulate further research into ancient technological networks and interregional exchange. While the abstract primarily serves as an overview of a project in progress, it effectively conveys the project's scope, rigor, and potential impact. The brief note regarding a necessary article versioning due to a reference revision, though a minor administrative detail, suggests a commitment to accuracy. Overall, this project represents a significant and valuable contribution to archaeological and archaeometallurgical scholarship, and its eventual full results will be eagerly anticipated by the scientific community.

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