Abstract

We have studied a prehispanic bronze disc of 366 mm diameter, 3.340 kg, made ca. 500-900 AD from Argentina Northwest, employing metallurgical techniques, SEM and EDS, x-ray radiography and microprobe. We found that this piece was made by melting Cu and Sn in a double matrix. It was found that the piece was well filled but with small bubles coming from the process. Metallography suggested some hammer working near some places of the disc.