The present investigation gives essential information about the technological, cultural and economic level of the inhabitants of Bulgaria during the Bronze Age. A comparative study with archaeometric investigations of typologically similar contemporary artefacts from neighbouring territories provides information about the directions of influences and mutual relations and the time of their realization.

A leading aspiration of archaeometric investigation is to examine some aspects of the character, structure, mechanisms of functioning and social significance of Bronze Age metallurgy on the territory of present Bulgaria. Objects of analysis in the dissertation are copper and copper alloy artefacts – predominantly tools but also weapons and ingots.

The project examines the art of fabrication of an item in order to facilitate the interpretation of a specific type of alloy for the manufacturing of specific articles. If there are differences in the chemical composition of distinctive kinds or types of artefacts, they will be an indication for high technological level achieved by ancient metallurgists. Alternative explanation is that the objects are products of different production centers or workshops which were obtaining metals from different sources. Another issue studied in the project is the distribution of pure metal prepared for melting and production of copper and copper alloy finds and also the presence of evidence for recycling of bronze and re-use of metal.