Copper-tin bronzes can be obtained through different techniques (i.e. natural alloying, co-smelting, cementation, co-melting and recycling). This paper presents a methodology and theoretical framework to contextually explain the logic behind the selection of bronze alloying techniques in different contexts, avoiding deterministic, aprioristic and linear narratives. To do so, we selected Northeast Iberia as a case study and present comparative results of slag and slagged technical ceramics from four sites (Minferri, Vilars, Mas Castellar and Ullastret) dated between 2100-200BC. Materials were analysed using pXRF, OM, SEM-EDS, and ICP-MS to characterise technological choices through time. Patterns of choice are considered in relation to the technical affordances of each alloying technique and contextualised within the relevant environmental and socioeconomic parameters. The results show that bronze-making technique choices were primarily dependent on (1) the (in)stability of raw material procurement networks, and (2) the existent selective pressures on performance characteristics for which each technique offered different trade-offs. Discrete combinations of these two variables can explain instances of different techniques co-existing (e.g. Minferri, Mas Castellar, and Ullastret) and cases of commitment to a single one (e.g. Vilars).

中文翻译：

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迈向青铜制造的新历史：解释史前伊比利亚北部（公元前 2100-200 年）锡青铜合金技术的选择

铜锡青铜可以通过不同的技术（即天然合金、共冶炼、胶结、共熔和回收）获得。本文提出了一种方法和理论框架，以上下文解释在不同背景下选择青铜合金化技术背后的逻辑，避免了确定性、先验性和线性叙述。为此，我们选择了东北伊比利亚作为案例研究，并展示了公元前 2100 年至公元前 200 年间来自四个地点（Minferri、Vilars、Mas Castellar 和 Ullastret）的炉渣和碎渣技术陶瓷的比较结果。使用 pXRF、OM、SEM-EDS 和 ICP-MS 分析材料，以表征随时间变化的技术选择。根据每种合金化技术的技术可行性考虑选择模式，并在相关的环境和社会经济参数中进行背景分析。结果表明，青铜制造技术的选择主要取决于 （1） 原材料采购网络的（不）稳定性，以及 （2） 每种技术提供不同权衡的对性能特征的现有选择压力。这两个变量的离散组合可以解释不同技术共存的例子（例如 Minferri、Mas Castellar 和 Ullastret）和致力于单一技术的情况（例如 Vilars）。