In Search of the ‘Lost Wax’ Method – Ethnoarchaeological Perspectives on Hereditary Bronze Casters in Swamimalai, South India

By

Thomas E. Levy, Alina Levy, D. Radhakrishna Sthapathy, D. Srikanda Sthapathy, and D. Swaminatha Sthapathy

Key Words: metallurgy, bronze casting, Tamil Nadu, ethnoarchaeology, lost-wax, Chalcolithic, experimental archaeology, chaine operatoire

Abstract

While the ethnoarchaeology of traditional metal work has focused primarily on iron smelting and iron work in Africa, this study presents the first ethnoarchaeological study of hereditary bronze casters in the center of this traditional craft in the village of Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu.  Our research focuses on the chaine operatoire of a hereditary metal icon manufactory.   This provides important insights concerning the organization of metal craft specialization, the relationship between the sacred and profane in South Indian metal production, and makes observations on the future of this ancient artisan tradition.

The ethnoarchaeology team, February, 2007, Swamimalai, India.  From left to right: Srikanda Sthapathy, Swaminatha Sthapathy, Radhakrishna Sthapathy, Tom Levy, and Alina Levy.