Which limit was reached in early Mesopotamian copper smelting leading to alloys?

💡 Explanation

Pure copper's low hardness limited its effectiveness which led to alloying with arsenic or tin became necessary to create stronger tools. This 'hardening' resulted because pure copper work-hardened quickly. Therefore, workability resulting in the creation of alloys was the limit, rather than furnace limitations, copper source, or ore reduction knowledge.

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