Earliest proof of bronze-making found in Land of Israel

For the first time, archaeologists have found definitive evidence that bronze was produced locally in the Land of Israel during the Early Iron Age rather than simply being recycled from older artifacts. The University of Haifa announced the groundbreaking discovery Sunday, marking a significant shift in understanding the region’s technological and economic development some 3,000 years ago.

The find comes from El Ahwat, a short-lived settlement in northern Samaria that existed on the periphery of the ancient world. Dr. Tzilla Eshel, who led the study, called it “the first conclusive proof” of bronze production in the region during this era, emphasizing that the site was far from being a major city.

Laboratory analysis of smelting products and metal residues revealed that copper and tin were alloyed on-site evidence of true bronze-making. The research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, paints a picture of a vibrant regional trade network that emerged after the collapse of the great empires of the Late Bronze Age. With long-distance trade routes disrupted, local groups took the opportunity to control and develop industries, laying foundations for future kingdoms like Israel, Judah, and Edom.

The study reexamined artifacts excavated about 30 years ago by the late Prof. Adam Zertal. Using advanced microscopic imaging, metallographic analysis, and chemical composition tests, researchers identified copper and bronze smelting products, slag, and other by-products of primary metal production. Isotopic analysis traced the copper’s origins to the Timna mines in southern Israel and the Faynan mines in Jordan.

Intriguingly, at least some of the bronze droplets at El Ahwat were formed through intentional alloying, not from melting down older objects. The evidence also revealed a range of production quality from rough, unregulated smelting to more precise and controlled techniques indicating a developing industry in the area.

“The alloys are not uniform in quality, but it is clear this was a deliberate attempt to produce bronze on the site itself,” said Eshel. This challenges the long-held belief that peripheral mountain communities of the Early Iron Age were technologically dependent on major urban centers.

While the research answers the question of local production, mysteries remain chief among them the source of the tin and the identities of the metalworkers who ran the operation. What is clear is that El Ahwat was part of a sophisticated web of trade, technology, and resource distribution far beyond what was once assumed.

The Land of Israel continues to reveal its deep layers of history reminders of an enduring legacy of ingenuity, adaptation, and connectivity. Share this story or subscribe to our newsletter for more discoveries from Israel’s rich past.