The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 71 1985, 142-148 (142) CRUCIBLES IN THE PETRIE COLLECTION AND HIEROGLYPHIC IDEOGRAMS FOR METAL By CHRISTOPHER J. DAVEY THE Petrie Collection at the University of London contains a number of crucibles which have been published only briefly. 1 The growing interest in early metallurgy makes a more complete publication of these vessels worth while. The author is most grateful to Dr G. T. Martin, Curator of the Petrie Museum, for permission to undertake this republication and to Miss Rosalind Hall for the assistance given while studying the objects. Dr N. J. Seely of the Institute of Archaeology, London, is to be thanked for providing X-ray fluorescence analysis of fragments of slag from some of the crucibles. Comments by Mr Ian Edwards of the Victoria State College and Dr Colin Hope of the University of Melbourne have also been appreciated. There are six crucibles in the collection, four of which are small and unprovenanced and two of which are larger and from known locations. There is no information about the date of the smaller crucibles, and, although some general indications may be obtained from analysis, it is probable that each one represents a long-standing tradition. Variations in crucible size and shape occur as a result of specific function and operating environment, but chronological variations and development will not be evident until a greater number of crucibles are known. The typological system which is quoted in some instances is that derived by Tylecote. 2 1. UC 8993 (see fig. 1, no. 1 and pl. XIII, no. 1). Size: 110 mm dia., 80mm high. Type: F, bag-shaped or globular. Provenance: Unknown. The shape of the crucible is spherical, and it is of medium size. The reddish tint of the interior indicates that the crucible was probably made from Nile clay. Its exterior is almost completely vitrified and variously coloured green, red, black, and brown. It may, therefore, be deduced that the crucible was subjected to repeated and extended periods of high temperature about its outer surface. Since there is no slag on the inside, there is no indication of what metals were melted in it. If the crucible was used for copper melting, some copper would most likely remain on the interior surface. It is also unusual for copper-melting crucibles of this size to have the furnace placed under them as indicated by the external vitrification, rather than over the top. It is, therefore, likely that the crucible was used for 1. Museum No. UC 18146 in G. Brunton, Qau and Badari I (London, 1927), 36, 67, pl. xli, no. 25; UC 8901 in W. M. F. Petrie, Researches in Sinai (London, 1906), 162, fig. 161; and Museum Nos. UC 8993, 8994, 8995, and 8996 are Nos. 247, 248, 245, and 246 respectively, in Petrie, Tools and Weapons (The British School of Archaeology in Egypt) (London, 1917), 61, pl. lxxvii. 2. R. F. Tylecote, A History of Metallurgy (London, 1976), 19.