Nickel

The MMP analytical program has identified only six among the 110 copper-base artifacts from the site’s Levels VIII through IV (circa 3750 B.C.–2100 B.C.) that have a significant nickel content (Ni, >0.5%):

Level VIII (among 4 artifacts):
None

Level VII (among 16 artifacts):
Toggle pin (32-21-202: Ni, 2.14%)
Toggle pin (32-21-198: Ni, 1.26%)

Level VI (among 74 artifacts):
Awl (32-21-120: Ni, 2.65%)
Axe holder (31-52-251: Ni, 1.22%)
Bracelet (32-21-128: Ni, 0.86%)
Long-handled pan (31-52-262: Ni, 0.87%)

Level V (among 12 artifacts):
None

Level IV (among 4 artifacts):
None

This low occurrence of nickel among Gawra bronzes is in marked contrast with what we find at several southern Mesopotamian sites over the same period. For example, at Ur during the Early Dynastic III (circa 2600 B.C.–2300 B.C.) and subsequent Akkadian period (circa 2350 B.C.–2150 B.C), 65% and 51% respectively of the copper-based artifacts were nickel-rich (i.e., Ni >0.5%) (see Ur). During those times, the southern Mesopotamian metalworking craft is thought to have obtained nickel-rich copper ingots from Oman. Whether nickel-rich copper ores were also available in northern Mesopotamia is currently under consideration.