Drawing Solid Wires Through Soft Dies in Antiquity

Abstract

It has been shown on theoretical as well as experimental grounds that it is possible to draw solid wires of gold or silver to diameters of the order of 0.3 mm (0.012 in.) or smaller by the use of soft dies of the same metal. It is argued that solid wire of these metals could have been drawn in antiquity by the use of such dies even though no such dies have been found (or recognized) in archaeological excavations. One explanation for this lack of archaeological evidence may be ascribed to the possibility that the ancient goldsmith did not leave such artifacts since he may have remelted the precious metals for other uses in his craft.