Metalworking in Jebel Khalid 

Introduction by G.W. Clarke

Evidence of metalworking, casting, forging, welding and brazing has been recovered from Jebel Khalid but there has been no evidence that the smelting of ores took place at Jebel Khalid or anywhere near the site. Syria is comparatively poor when it comes to metalliferous sources and there are no significant metalliferous bodies near Jebel Khalid. In order to engage in metalworking, Jebel Khalid would have needed to source its metal stock elsewhere, probably regionally. Despite this, they were able to engage in metalworking to meet the direct needs of the settlement.

The metalworking industry can be considered light as there is no evidence of environmental intensiveness or complex production chains that would indicate that the site was producing metal for other settlements. Instead, the metalworking was based on forging and casting pre-manufactured stock and scrap metal, and repairing broken, damaged or worn objects. Many finds show evidence that they had been repaired or repurposed. Fundamentally, the metalworking at the site represents resourcefulness and improvisation.

Metalworkers would have worked in small workshops, perhaps near important public buildings like the Palace and Temple precinct, as these are the two places at Jebel Khalid that display evidence of dedicated metalworking and a hearth which was vital for metalworking. It is possible that metalworkers and metalworking could have held a distinguished place in society, evidenced by their close proximity to public buildings.

M. Mazis, Jebel Khalid on the Euphrates, vol. 7: The Metals, Mediterranean Archaeology Supplement (Sydney, forthcoming)