Egypt as a Bronzeworking Centre (1000-539 BC)

Abstract

The archaeological evidence for the bronze industry in first millennium Egypt is quite substantial, although its distribution is both chronologically and geographically uneven. The variety of Egyptian bronzework found outside Egypt, and of the contexts from which it has been recovered, is such as to preclude any uniformity of explanation. The distribution and variable density of the finds suggest that different factors were responsible for its occurrence in different geographical areas. Many Egyptian bronzes found in the Near East probably have a political or military explanation. The influence of Egyptian metalwork motifs, rather than the objects themselves, can be seen, for example, in the creation at Sparta of mirror handles in female form or in Cypriote metal vessels. Many Egyptian bronzes found in the Near East probably have a political or military explanation.