Feb.6] SOCIETYOK BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGY. [1894.gravity,as determined on two portions,was 6 "6 7 or 6 "46; that of
purecopperbeingas much as 8.9. On microscopical examination
the metal was evidentlyveryirregularin composition, andon treat
mentwithnitrate of silver it was found to be rich in suboxide of
copper, with small nodules apparentlyconsistingwholly of that
substance. This accounts for its colour, and its light specific
gravity. On analysis the following percentage composition was
obtained:—Copper 94-9
Oxygen ... ... ... ... 27
Lead -68
Iron 77
Antimonyor tin, chlorine, &c. ... '95whichis equivalent to —10000Metalliccopper 73"6
Suboxideof copper ... 24-0
Othersubstances 2'4CopperKnife. A portion of a thin knifeor spatula fromthe
sameplacewas also examined. It consists of a thin layerof copper
borderedon each sidefirst by a layer of red cuprous oxide,thenby
greenoxychloride,and outsidedarkred cuprous oxidemixedwith
other mineral substances. When cleanedas far as possible from
thesecoatings,the interior wasfound to contain 97 per cent, of
copper,withaboutC15 per cent, of iron. Therewas no tin ; but
therewerefeebletracesof antimonyand lead, and ample indications
of cuprous oxide.
BronzeNails. Higherup in the mound werefounda number
of pointed objects,most probablynails,anddating between 1400
and 1 100 b.C. Theywerecorroded rightthrough,and mostly of a
lightgreen colour. Theyhad originally been bronze,and the pro
portionof the metals in one of the pieces analysedwas :—
Copper ... 45-8
Tin ... 103
Iron ... i.2
96