In the realm of archaeology, even the smallest artifacts can tell grand tales of ancient civilizations and their intricate networks of trade and exchange. Recently, a pair of bracelets belonging to an ancient Egyptian queen has offered new insights into the trade links that once connected Egypt to Greece during the Old Kingdom.
The bracelets, found in the tomb of Queen Hetepheres I — the mother of Khufu, the pharaoh who commissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza — were analyzed by an international team of archaeologists. The team discovered that the bracelets contained copper, gold, lead, and traces of silver, despite there being no known local sources of silver in ancient Egypt in 2600 B.C., when the items were crafted.
The presence of silver in the bracelets led the researchers to investigate further. By analyzing the ratio of isotopes in the lead, they determined that the materials were consistent with ores from the Cyclades, a group of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, as well as those from Lavrion, a town in southern Greece. This discovery marks the first evidence of long-distance exchange between Egypt and Greece.
The researchers believe that the silver likely came through the port of Byblos in what is now Lebanon, which had active trade links with Egypt at the time. This finding not only sheds light on the geographical extent of trade networks during the early Old Kingdom but also offers a glimpse into the economic activities during the height of the Pyramid-building age.
The study also provides insights into the manufacturing process of the bracelets. They were made by hammering cold-worked metal with frequent annealing, a heating process to prevent breakage. The bracelets were likely alloyed with gold to improve their appearance and malleability during manufacture.
This discovery underscores the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations and the extensive trade networks that spanned across regions and cultures. It serves as a testament to the enduring influence of these early trade practices, which continue to shape our global economy today.
This blog post is based on the article “Ancient Egyptian queen’s bracelets contain 1st evidence of long-distance trade between Egypt and Greece” by Jennifer Nalewicki on Yahoo Life.
Ruins and Relics 