ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the question of how the production of copper was organized at the village level, within the context of a single community, focusing primarily on Abu Matar along with Bir es-Safadi and Shiqmim. The first step is to analyze the archaeometallurgical assemblage itself, studying the composition and structure of the artifacts in order to characterize the material culture related to copper production. The rise of specialized craft production during the Chalcolithic is clear from the archaeological evidence. The level and intensity of specialization, specifically in the area of metal production remains unclear, yet, certain trends can be observed. Rosen argues this field was not significantly different from other industries such as basalt vessel manufacture and some types of flint-working, technical dimensions of metal production notwithstanding. The archaeological evidence from Abu Matar as well as Shiqmim suggests that production became highly concentrated by the late Chalcolithic culminating in the establishment of centralized workshops.
