Nigel Meeks
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 5405528 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Nigel Meeks |
| NOMBRES | Nigel |
| APELLIDO | Meeks |
| FIRMA | MEEKS N |
| AFILIACIONES | British Museum |
| VERIFICADO | No |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 27 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 243 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 27 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 1969 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2024 |
| ÍNDICE H | 9 |
The Pulborough Gold Torc
Two fragments of a decorated buffer terminal torc were found in 2019 near Pulborough, West Sussex. The simplicity of the design belies the complexity of the construction of this hollow, gold alloy neck-ring. The overall shape is that of 4th to 3rd century BCE buffer terminal torcs found in western Europe, particularly France, Germany and Belgium. The terminal and neck-ring are decorated with filigree made from block-twisted wire soldered to the s…
Collapsing Commodities or Lavish Offerings? Understanding Massive Metalwork Deposition at L angton M atravers, Dorset During the B ronze A ge– I ron A ge Transition
The discovery of 373 intact and broken tin‐bronze socketed axes accompanied by 404 fragments in four pits at L angton M atravers collectively represents one of the largest hoards found to date in prehistoric B ritain and Ireland. They were very probably never meant to be used as axes as the very high levels of tin they contain would have made them brittle. Many were poorly finished, with the majority still containing their casting cores. The axes…
A Newly Discovered Minoan Faience Plaque From the Knossos Town Mosaic in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
This article presents the curatorial context of a newly discovered fragment of Minoan faience, now in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery (BCMAG), and the technological study conducted on this piece at the British Museum. It also discusses the British Museum study of comparable fragments, now in the Ashmolean Museum, belonging to the Town Mosaic from Knossos, an important and unique find brought to light during Sir Arthur Evans's excavations …
Inscriptions, filing, grinding and polishing marks on the bronze weapons from the Qin Terracotta Army in China
The origins of two purportedly pre-Columbian Mexican crystal skulls
The identification of carving techniques on Chinese jade
The Early Development of the Lapidary Engraving Wheel in Mesopotamia
Traditional views on the development of rotary motion were outlined by Childe (1954). He envisaged a progressive development of a concept that had originated in prehistoric times. Thus, perforated artefacts composed of shell and soft stone from Upper Palaeolithic levels yielded the earliest evidence for hand-held drills (Semenov 1964: 74–8). At least seven thousand years later, during the second half of the fourth millennium, potters in several p…
The introduction of the lapidary engraving wheel in Mesopotamia
Scanning electron microscopy provides an insight into the lapidary techniques of the ancient Near East. Engraved features on quartz cylinder seals have been compared to those produced experimentally, leading to a radical reassessment of the date for the introduction of the engraving wheel
Methods of Engraving Mesopotamian Cylinder Seals
Previous observations of the intaglios on quartz cylinder seals from Western Asia suggested that they had been engraved by one or more of four basic techniques, that is, micro‐chipping, filing, drilling and wheel‐cutting. In this paper we test our earlier observations and interpretations experimentally. Examination and comparison of experimentally engraved features with the seal intaglios was made directly with a binocular microscope and also by …
The Celtic Warrior Fibula
In 1960 and 1961 Ole Klindt-Jensen published two short notes about a golden statuette of a Celtic warrior, soldered to a fine brooch. He was convinced that the warrior did not belong to the brooch, and thought that they had been combined fairly recently. J. M. de Navarro added a comment to the 1961 note, concluding: ‘My impression (from photographs only) is that the brooch might date from the fourth century BC and the figure not before the latter…
Methods of Engraving Mesopotamian Quartz Cylinder Seals
Cylinder seals, which were produced more or less continuously for about 3000 years in Western Asia, were worked with designs in intaglio. In this paper we report the results of an investigation into the techniques used to engrave seals composed of quartz. Our observations were made with a binocular microscope and supplemented by examination of impressions with a scanning electron microscope. A range of factors was considered, including shape in p…
The Introduction of Wheel Cutting as a Technique for Engraving Cylinder Seals
It has been recognized in glyptic and other studies (for example Ogden, 1982 and Gorelick and Gwinnett, 1992) that considerable advances in engraving technology were made once the bow drill, originally used vertically with a cap stone, had been adapted so that a cutting wheel could be fitted to a spindle mounted between fixed bearings (an arrangement similar to a “horizontal engraving spindle” or a “fixed lapidary lathe”). In some recent publicat…
Significance of Phosphate in Ceramic Bodies
A Bronze Age goldworking anvil from Lichfield, Staffordshire
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
The Detection of Cadmium in Gold/Silver Alloys and Its Alleged Occurrence in Ancient Gold Solders
The examination of a sample from a copper ingot found off Plymouth, Devon
Iron in Ancient Copper
Analysis of early copper‐base artifacts invariably reveals traces of iron. Iron enters the copper during the smelting process and the level of iron in the metalwork is an indication of the smelting technology. In areas such as Western Europe where prehistoric slag heaps are absent even in the proximity of undoubted ancient mines, the iron content is low reinforcing the link between smelting technology and iron content. Very occasionally the iron …
Glassy Microspherules from Bomb Combustion of Charcoal
Glassy microspherules, typically 200μm or less in diameter, are well documented from a variety of terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources (Baker, 1959, p 192–198; Glass, 1969; Rost, 1969; McKay, Greenwood & Morrison, 1970; Mueller & Hinsch, 1970; Cross, 1971; O'Keefe, 1980). To these we would add the formation of microspherules of similar habit when wood charcoal is burned in a combustion bomb (Barker, Burleigh & Meeks, 1969; Burleigh, 1973, 197…
Tin‐rich Surfaces on Bronze–some Experimental and Archaeological Considerations
Tin‐rich surfaces found on bronze antiquities may be the result of man‐made or natural processes. The difficulties encountered in distinguishing between these processes are discussed and illustrated with reference to the surface structures obtained on experimentally tinned copper and bronze. Heat treatments were carried out on the experimental material to allow observation of the growth of the intermetallic compound layers on the surface, and of …
Retention of Phosphate in Buried Ceramics
Elevated concentrations of P 2 O 5 of 2–12 wt% absolute were observed in the matrices of a small group of ceramics with the electron microprobe. P 2 O 5 , CaO and FeO t are enriched towards the surfaces in some cases and elemental correlations suggest precipitation of a crystalline calcium phosphate with a stoichiometry close to CaO · P 2 O 5 . Scanning electron microscopy with X‐ray mapping showed P 2 O 5 to be dispersed in the ceramic matrix on…
Gloss and use-wear traces on flint sickles and similar phenomena
The analysis of platinum-group element inclusions in gold antiquities
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements X
The following list consists entirely of dates for archaeologic samples from the prehistoric flint mining site of Grime's Graves, Weeting, Thetford, Norfolk, England (52° 30' N, 0° 40' E, Natl Grid Ref TL 816898), measured over the period from August 1973 to December 1977, * all the samples having been excavated between 1972 and 1976. The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scin…
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements IX
The following list consists of dates for archaeologic samples from countries other than the British Isles measured with a few exceptions over the period of mid-1970 to June 1974. The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer. The laboratory procedures used were those outlined in the previous date list (R, 1976, v 18, p 16). As before, the dates, relative to…
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VIII
The following list consists entirely of dates for archaeologic samples from the British Isles measured since about mid-1970 up to June 1974 * . The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer. In general, procedures are as described in the previous date list (R, 1971, v 13, p 157; see also Burleigh, 1972). However, data processing was improved by means of a r…
Iron in Ancient Copper
Analysis of early copper‐base artifacts invariably reveals traces of iron. Iron enters the copper during the smelting process and the level of iron in the metalwork is an indication of the smelting technology. In areas such as Western Europe where prehistoric slag heaps are absent even in the proximity of undoubted ancient mines, the iron content is low reinforcing the link between smelting technology and iron content. Very occasionally the iron …
Retention of Phosphate in Buried Ceramics
Elevated concentrations of P 2 O 5 of 2–12 wt% absolute were observed in the matrices of a small group of ceramics with the electron microprobe. P 2 O 5 , CaO and FeO t are enriched towards the surfaces in some cases and elemental correlations suggest precipitation of a crystalline calcium phosphate with a stoichiometry close to CaO · P 2 O 5 . Scanning electron microscopy with X‐ray mapping showed P 2 O 5 to be dispersed in the ceramic matrix on…
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VI
Dates listed below are based on measurements made up to May 1968, and cover a period during which the technique of gas proportional counting using CO 2 was gradually replaced by liquid scintillation counting using benzene. The gas counting measurements were carried out by the method and techniques previously described (Barker and Mackey, 1968) the only modifications being the replacement of some old electronic units by more stable solid-state equ…
The identification of carving techniques on Chinese jade
The analysis of platinum-group element inclusions in gold antiquities
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VII
Dates listed below are based on measurements made from June 1968 to May 1970 by the liquid scintillation technique using benzene. In general, the experimental procedure is as described previously (Barker, Burleigh, and Meeks, 1969a) with a few changes in detail. Data are now processed by computer using a comprehensive Algol program written by Andrew Barker, King's College, Univ. of London. There is no need to standardize on any particular sample …
Tin‐rich Surfaces on Bronze–some Experimental and Archaeological Considerations
Tin‐rich surfaces found on bronze antiquities may be the result of man‐made or natural processes. The difficulties encountered in distinguishing between these processes are discussed and illustrated with reference to the surface structures obtained on experimentally tinned copper and bronze. Heat treatments were carried out on the experimental material to allow observation of the growth of the intermetallic compound layers on the surface, and of …
Gloss and use-wear traces on flint sickles and similar phenomena
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements IX
The following list consists of dates for archaeologic samples from countries other than the British Isles measured with a few exceptions over the period of mid-1970 to June 1974. The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer. The laboratory procedures used were those outlined in the previous date list (R, 1976, v 18, p 16). As before, the dates, relative to…
Inscriptions, filing, grinding and polishing marks on the bronze weapons from the Qin Terracotta Army in China
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VIII
The following list consists entirely of dates for archaeologic samples from the British Isles measured since about mid-1970 up to June 1974 * . The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer. In general, procedures are as described in the previous date list (R, 1971, v 13, p 157; see also Burleigh, 1972). However, data processing was improved by means of a r…
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements X
The following list consists entirely of dates for archaeologic samples from the prehistoric flint mining site of Grime's Graves, Weeting, Thetford, Norfolk, England (52° 30' N, 0° 40' E, Natl Grid Ref TL 816898), measured over the period from August 1973 to December 1977, * all the samples having been excavated between 1972 and 1976. The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scin…
Significance of Phosphate in Ceramic Bodies
Methods of Engraving Mesopotamian Quartz Cylinder Seals
Cylinder seals, which were produced more or less continuously for about 3000 years in Western Asia, were worked with designs in intaglio. In this paper we report the results of an investigation into the techniques used to engrave seals composed of quartz. Our observations were made with a binocular microscope and supplemented by examination of impressions with a scanning electron microscope. A range of factors was considered, including shape in p…
Collapsing Commodities or Lavish Offerings? Understanding Massive Metalwork Deposition at L angton M atravers, Dorset During the B ronze A ge– I ron A ge Transition
The discovery of 373 intact and broken tin‐bronze socketed axes accompanied by 404 fragments in four pits at L angton M atravers collectively represents one of the largest hoards found to date in prehistoric B ritain and Ireland. They were very probably never meant to be used as axes as the very high levels of tin they contain would have made them brittle. Many were poorly finished, with the majority still containing their casting cores. The axes…
The introduction of the lapidary engraving wheel in Mesopotamia
Scanning electron microscopy provides an insight into the lapidary techniques of the ancient Near East. Engraved features on quartz cylinder seals have been compared to those produced experimentally, leading to a radical reassessment of the date for the introduction of the engraving wheel
Methods of Engraving Mesopotamian Cylinder Seals
Previous observations of the intaglios on quartz cylinder seals from Western Asia suggested that they had been engraved by one or more of four basic techniques, that is, micro‐chipping, filing, drilling and wheel‐cutting. In this paper we test our earlier observations and interpretations experimentally. Examination and comparison of experimentally engraved features with the seal intaglios was made directly with a binocular microscope and also by …
The origins of two purportedly pre-Columbian Mexican crystal skulls
The Celtic Warrior Fibula
In 1960 and 1961 Ole Klindt-Jensen published two short notes about a golden statuette of a Celtic warrior, soldered to a fine brooch. He was convinced that the warrior did not belong to the brooch, and thought that they had been combined fairly recently. J. M. de Navarro added a comment to the 1961 note, concluding: ‘My impression (from photographs only) is that the brooch might date from the fourth century BC and the figure not before the latter…
The examination of a sample from a copper ingot found off Plymouth, Devon
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VI
Dates listed below are based on measurements made up to May 1968, and cover a period during which the technique of gas proportional counting using CO 2 was gradually replaced by liquid scintillation counting using benzene. The gas counting measurements were carried out by the method and techniques previously described (Barker and Mackey, 1968) the only modifications being the replacement of some old electronic units by more stable solid-state equ…
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VII
Dates listed below are based on measurements made from June 1968 to May 1970 by the liquid scintillation technique using benzene. In general, the experimental procedure is as described previously (Barker, Burleigh, and Meeks, 1969a) with a few changes in detail. Data are now processed by computer using a comprehensive Algol program written by Andrew Barker, King's College, Univ. of London. There is no need to standardize on any particular sample …
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VIII
The following list consists entirely of dates for archaeologic samples from the British Isles measured since about mid-1970 up to June 1974 * . The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer. In general, procedures are as described in the previous date list (R, 1971, v 13, p 157; see also Burleigh, 1972). However, data processing was improved by means of a r…
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements IX
The following list consists of dates for archaeologic samples from countries other than the British Isles measured with a few exceptions over the period of mid-1970 to June 1974. The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer. The laboratory procedures used were those outlined in the previous date list (R, 1976, v 18, p 16). As before, the dates, relative to…
British Museum Natural Radiocarbon Measurements X
The following list consists entirely of dates for archaeologic samples from the prehistoric flint mining site of Grime's Graves, Weeting, Thetford, Norfolk, England (52° 30' N, 0° 40' E, Natl Grid Ref TL 816898), measured over the period from August 1973 to December 1977, * all the samples having been excavated between 1972 and 1976. The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scin…
The analysis of platinum-group element inclusions in gold antiquities
Gloss and use-wear traces on flint sickles and similar phenomena
Retention of Phosphate in Buried Ceramics
Elevated concentrations of P 2 O 5 of 2–12 wt% absolute were observed in the matrices of a small group of ceramics with the electron microprobe. P 2 O 5 , CaO and FeO t are enriched towards the surfaces in some cases and elemental correlations suggest precipitation of a crystalline calcium phosphate with a stoichiometry close to CaO · P 2 O 5 . Scanning electron microscopy with X‐ray mapping showed P 2 O 5 to be dispersed in the ceramic matrix on…
Glassy Microspherules from Bomb Combustion of Charcoal
Glassy microspherules, typically 200μm or less in diameter, are well documented from a variety of terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources (Baker, 1959, p 192–198; Glass, 1969; Rost, 1969; McKay, Greenwood & Morrison, 1970; Mueller & Hinsch, 1970; Cross, 1971; O'Keefe, 1980). To these we would add the formation of microspherules of similar habit when wood charcoal is burned in a combustion bomb (Barker, Burleigh & Meeks, 1969; Burleigh, 1973, 197…
Tin‐rich Surfaces on Bronze–some Experimental and Archaeological Considerations
Tin‐rich surfaces found on bronze antiquities may be the result of man‐made or natural processes. The difficulties encountered in distinguishing between these processes are discussed and illustrated with reference to the surface structures obtained on experimentally tinned copper and bronze. Heat treatments were carried out on the experimental material to allow observation of the growth of the intermetallic compound layers on the surface, and of …
Iron in Ancient Copper
Analysis of early copper‐base artifacts invariably reveals traces of iron. Iron enters the copper during the smelting process and the level of iron in the metalwork is an indication of the smelting technology. In areas such as Western Europe where prehistoric slag heaps are absent even in the proximity of undoubted ancient mines, the iron content is low reinforcing the link between smelting technology and iron content. Very occasionally the iron …
The examination of a sample from a copper ingot found off Plymouth, Devon
The Detection of Cadmium in Gold/Silver Alloys and Its Alleged Occurrence in Ancient Gold Solders
A Bronze Age goldworking anvil from Lichfield, Staffordshire
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
The Introduction of Wheel Cutting as a Technique for Engraving Cylinder Seals
It has been recognized in glyptic and other studies (for example Ogden, 1982 and Gorelick and Gwinnett, 1992) that considerable advances in engraving technology were made once the bow drill, originally used vertically with a cap stone, had been adapted so that a cutting wheel could be fitted to a spindle mounted between fixed bearings (an arrangement similar to a “horizontal engraving spindle” or a “fixed lapidary lathe”). In some recent publicat…
Significance of Phosphate in Ceramic Bodies
Methods of Engraving Mesopotamian Quartz Cylinder Seals
Cylinder seals, which were produced more or less continuously for about 3000 years in Western Asia, were worked with designs in intaglio. In this paper we report the results of an investigation into the techniques used to engrave seals composed of quartz. Our observations were made with a binocular microscope and supplemented by examination of impressions with a scanning electron microscope. A range of factors was considered, including shape in p…
The Celtic Warrior Fibula
In 1960 and 1961 Ole Klindt-Jensen published two short notes about a golden statuette of a Celtic warrior, soldered to a fine brooch. He was convinced that the warrior did not belong to the brooch, and thought that they had been combined fairly recently. J. M. de Navarro added a comment to the 1961 note, concluding: ‘My impression (from photographs only) is that the brooch might date from the fourth century BC and the figure not before the latter…
Methods of Engraving Mesopotamian Cylinder Seals
Previous observations of the intaglios on quartz cylinder seals from Western Asia suggested that they had been engraved by one or more of four basic techniques, that is, micro‐chipping, filing, drilling and wheel‐cutting. In this paper we test our earlier observations and interpretations experimentally. Examination and comparison of experimentally engraved features with the seal intaglios was made directly with a binocular microscope and also by …
The Early Development of the Lapidary Engraving Wheel in Mesopotamia
Traditional views on the development of rotary motion were outlined by Childe (1954). He envisaged a progressive development of a concept that had originated in prehistoric times. Thus, perforated artefacts composed of shell and soft stone from Upper Palaeolithic levels yielded the earliest evidence for hand-held drills (Semenov 1964: 74–8). At least seven thousand years later, during the second half of the fourth millennium, potters in several p…
The introduction of the lapidary engraving wheel in Mesopotamia
Scanning electron microscopy provides an insight into the lapidary techniques of the ancient Near East. Engraved features on quartz cylinder seals have been compared to those produced experimentally, leading to a radical reassessment of the date for the introduction of the engraving wheel
The identification of carving techniques on Chinese jade
The origins of two purportedly pre-Columbian Mexican crystal skulls
Inscriptions, filing, grinding and polishing marks on the bronze weapons from the Qin Terracotta Army in China
A Newly Discovered Minoan Faience Plaque From the Knossos Town Mosaic in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
This article presents the curatorial context of a newly discovered fragment of Minoan faience, now in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery (BCMAG), and the technological study conducted on this piece at the British Museum. It also discusses the British Museum study of comparable fragments, now in the Ashmolean Museum, belonging to the Town Mosaic from Knossos, an important and unique find brought to light during Sir Arthur Evans's excavations …
Archaeology (15 obras) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies (13 obras) · History (13 obras) · Materials Science (12 obras) · Art (10 obras) · Chemistry (10 obras) · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis (10 obras) · Metallurgy (10 obras) · Geology (9 obras) · Mineralogy (9 obras)