Middle and Late Bronze Age Metal Tools from the Aegean, Eastern ...

jagged with some grooves, conceivably made by a cutting tool. The object’s modification
was undoubtedly calculated, though the purpose of the altered tool is uncertain.
A similar Orchomenos chisel fragment (MX 517; Plate 5.10) preserves its blade
tip. A consistently smooth surface at the broken end suggests modification, possibly the
work of a saw. Comparable breaks are noticed on other chisel remains from the hoard
(Plate 5.11a-d). These four fragments are similar in their size, form and absence of a tip.
These repetitive chisel pieces have distinct broken edges, probably from being cut (see
details photographs in Plates 5.12–5.15). At least two of these chisel fragments have
irregular grooves on their broken edges, being in all likelihood tool marks.
The Orchomenos hoard pieces discussed above verify that metal items were
manipulated, but this was not restricted to tools. A fragment of a metal vessel was
changed into an arrowhead-like item, with a sharp, triangular point serving as its tip
(Plate 5.16). One side of the object has a distinct edge between two partial rivet holes;
this break is rugged, possibly reflecting cut marks. Further proof of the vessel’s
modification is evident by a bumpy surface (designated in the photograph by an arrow),
which was beaten by an implement when breaking apart the original vessel. This metal
fragment seems to have been deliberately made so, perhaps for serving a specific purpose
as a pointed object. At the very least, the object draws attention to the functionality of
fragmentary metal pieces.
Complete and broken tools in foundry hoards and other signs of deliberate object
manipulation
The combination of well-preserved and fragmentary implements in foundry
hoards was not arbitrary. The assortment of Orchomenos objects reveals that broken tools
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