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The mines at Melle in Deux‐Sèvres, France, are known as the only significant source of silver for the early Middle Ages until the 10th century. Though it was not a major locality, the settlement possessed a mint in the Merovingian period that became one of the major centres of coin production under the Carolingians in the ninth century. Following the decrease in Carolingian power and increase in the autonomy of local authorities from c.900, the counts of Poitou started minting a coinage in the name of Melle that remained with the same typology for the next two hundred years. This paper presents an examination of the trace elements (Au and Bi) determined by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) in nearly 2000 silver coins covering four centuries over the Merovingian, Carolingian and Feudal periods. It has two main objectives: first, identifying the patterns of trace elements for the coinages attributed to Melle by comparing them with those of the same periods from other mints; and second, establishing the general evolution of the trace elements in coins from Poitou and other areas are scrutinized to evaluate the contribution of fresh silver from Melle, in order to identify the silver stocks available. One main result is that part of the silver minted at Melle in the ninth century does not present the trace element patterns that characterize Melle silver, suggesting the use of the Melle mint as a hub for coining not only local silver from the mines but also for recycling and refining silver previously coined elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nonferrous Metals (Extractive Metallurgy) is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Metallographic examination and compositional study of slag inclusions on iron objects unearthed from Xuechi in Shaanxi, China, have revealed the smelting and manufacturing techniques employed at this Western Han dynasty sacrificial site. The results suggest two production systems among the samples: all knives, nails, and farming implements were made from cast iron that had been decarburised/malleablised through annealing or fining process. It is proposed that these samples were produced in designated state‐owned workshop. Two horse‐bit sets, on the other hand, were forged into shape using both bloomery iron and fined iron from various sources, with possible repairing and recycling involved in the manufacturing process. It is therefore argued that the horse bits found in the site came with the horse and had been produced separately from the other iron objects. Furthermore, this paper argues that although cast iron‐based production was the main method for large‐scale iron production, small‐scale bloomery iron smelting may have been practiced during the Western Han dynasty in certain regions as an alternate but economically viable method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longbohe is a newly discovered copper mining, smelting and production site located strategically beside the Red River on the China–Vietnam border in Southeast Yunnan, China. Recent excavations have dated it from the second half of the second millennium to the end of the first millennium BC, making it the earliest copper mining and processing site in Upland Southwest China and Southeast Asia. The metallurgical production tradition in Upland Southwest China and Southeast Asia is recognized and detailed with reference to the chaîne opératoire revealed at the Longbohe site. The location of Longbohe provides evidence for a route along which metallurgy was introduced from Southwest China into Southeast Asia. Current evidence further suggests that metallurgy probably arrived on the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau along the eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau corridors, and then entered Southeast Asia along south-flowing rivers. The Longbohe site is thus a most significant find in the southward dissemination of metallurgical technological systems into Southwest China and Southeast Asia in the later second millennium BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil serves as a repository of human history, preserving artifacts within its horizons. However, the presence of chemically reactive remnants, such as ancient slags, can significantly impact the surrounding soil environment. This paper addresses this scarcely explored issue by focusing on soil contamination arising from pre-Roman slag deposits at the Monte Romero archaeological site in southwest Spain, dating back to the Tartessian period (c. 7th century BC). Through the high-resolution microscopy examination of slag wastes and the trace element analysis of soil samples by ICP-OES, this study evaluated current contamination status using a multi-index approach. The results revealed markedly high levels of Pb (>5000 mg kg−1), Cu (up to 2730 mg kg−1), and As (up to 445 mg kg−1) in the soil compared to a control sample. The identification of secondary complex compounds like Cu arsenates and Pb arsenates/antimonates within slag cavities suggests post-depositional weathering processes, leading to the dispersion of potentially toxic elements into the surrounding soil. Assessments through indices of contamination and potential ecological risk highlighted severe contamination, particularly concerning Ag, Pb, Sb, Cu, and As. This study underscores the importance of addressing potential environmental hazards associated with archaeological sites hosting remnants of metal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work we carry out a study of all the Late Bronze Age swords recorded in the Balearic Islands. They represent a set of local practices and traditions alongside foreign ideas and archetypes. To carry out the study, we employ a strategy that joins technological and archaeometric analyses with approaches that consider isotopes and typologies. Of note among the data considered is the importance of metal coming from deposits in Linares, followed by Menorca and Mallorca, and finally, more marginally, Sardinia. A technological analysis of the manufacturing processes provides evidence, in a local context, of the use of the lost-wax casting technique, compound objects, and ternary bronzes, all technologies foreign to the Balearic Islands. Finally, we reflect on the local practices in which these objects were embroiled. All of this allows us to provide an in-depth examination of the interaction networks as well as the changes that took place in local metallurgical practices as the result of the circulation of ideas and knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper gives an overview of findings, connected with metallurgical activity, at the Pržanj archeological site near Ljubljana, Slovenia. More than 230 kg of slag and other remains connected with early medieval (from the 5th to the 12th century AD) metallurgical activities was found at the excavation site. The remains were grouped into four categories, i.e., furnace remains, ore, slag and a ferrous product, and analyzed in detail to obtain their chemical composition, microstructural characteristics, and mineral phase composition. The furnace wall remains, identified by their morphology and chemical composition, revealed an intensive iron processing activity at the site. The iron ore at the site was identified as goethite (FeO(OH)), a surprising find in Slovenia where limonite is typically used, and its presence suggests the potential exploitation of local bog iron ore, given the site’s geological context. Abundant slag remains at the site, identified by their shape, molten microstructure, and mineral components like wuestite, fayalite, and hercynite, indicated sophisticated smelting practices, including the use of CaO-rich materials to lower the melting temperature, a technique likely preserved from antiquity. Findings of ferrous products at ancient metallurgical sites are rare due to their value, but the discovery of a corroded iron bloom conglomerate at this site, initially mistaken for furnace remains, highlights the challenges in identifying small, corroded ferrous fragments that are often misidentified as ore. The results indicate extensive metallurgical activity at the excavation site, marking it as the first documented early medieval iron smelting production site in Slovenia.

This paper gives an overview of findings, connected with metallurgical activity, at the Pržanj archeological site near Ljubljana, Slovenia. More than 230 kg of slag and other remains connected with early medieval (from the 5th to the 12th century AD) metallurgical activities was found at the excavation site. The remains were grouped into four categories, i.e., furnace remains, ore, slag and a ferrous product, and analyzed in detail to obtain their chemical composition, microstructural characteristics, and mineral phase composition. The furnace wall remains, identified by their morphology and chemical composition, revealed an intensive iron processing activity at the site. The iron ore at the site was identified as goethite (FeO(OH)), a surprising find in Slovenia where limonite is typically used, and its presence suggests the potential exploitation of local bog iron ore, given the site's geological context. Abundant slag remains at the site, identified by their shape, molten microstructure, and mineral components like wuestite, fayalite, and hercynite, indicated sophisticated smelting practices, including the use of CaO-rich materials to lower the melting temperature, a technique likely preserved from antiquity. Findings of ferrous products at ancient metallurgical sites are rare due to their value, but the discovery of a corroded iron bloom conglomerate at this site, initially mistaken for furnace remains, highlights the challenges in identifying small, corroded ferrous fragments that are often misidentified as ore. The results indicate extensive metallurgical activity at the excavation site, marking it as the first documented early medieval iron smelting production site in Slovenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ouerping site, an important excavation archaeological site unearthed in 2017 in Jinzhong city, Shanxi province, China, dates back to the Warring States period. Metallographic, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and energy dispersion-type X-ray fluorescence spectrometer analysis of the site’s iron artefacts revealed that they were made of two types of materials: hypereutectic white iron and cast iron annealed products. Among them, the cast iron is hypereutectic white iron, and the annealed products include decarburized cast iron, cast iron decarburized steel (wrought iron) and ductile cast iron. For the first time, ductile cast iron products were discovered in Shanxi. According to the age of each layer of the site, the craftsman has mastered the cast iron annealed and decarbonization technology since the middle of the Warring States period, and applied it to tools and weapons. Combined with the iron artefacts storage of the site and the construction of building foundations, the iron solid-decarburised production has reached a certain scale, played an important role in social and economic development. The site is rich in solid-decarburised products and has strong time continuity, and the study of them not only reveals the technical connotation of iron production in this area, but also provides important materials for studying the development of cast iron Processing technology and social development in Shanxi and even in ancient China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical and lead isotope analyses aided by metallographic examination of copper axes found at the Late Neolithic settlement of Kietrz in southwestern Poland provide new evidence for the origin of copper and metal trade routes in the region. Our results indicate that metal used for the axes could be sourced from copper mines in modern Slovakia, Bulgaria and perhaps Serbia. The evidence from this study confirms that the Funnel Beaker people from Poland became parties to a metal trading network that connected much of continental Europe in the mid‐4th millennium bce and provides a better understanding of how these contacts provided the background for the technological and socio‐economic developments of the Baden era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iron sword and knife industry was highly developed during the Han dynasties in Chinese history. However, there is not much clarity regarding its presence in the capital. In this paper, we analyzed fragments of seven iron swords and three iron knives excavated in Xi’an city (the capital of Han dynasties) using non-destructive neutron techniques of neutron resonance capture analysis (NRCA) and neutron diffraction (ND) for the first time in China. The results indicate that the hand guards were cast from Cu-Sn-Pb-As alloys, while one knife’s scabbard was made of pure copper. Furthermore, we obtained quantitative results for carbon content, micro-strain and texture effect in different regions of each sword or knife for the first time. This suggests that these iron blades are hypoeutectoid steel, and likely underwent intentional processing such as carburization, decarburizaition and hammering. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the archaeometallurgy related to Han iron swords and knives, which supplements the results obtained from traditional experimental methods. Additionally, it is also significant for further application of neutron techniques in China’s cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of lead isotope analysis (LI) conducted on four bronze anklets from an early Iron Age burial (Burial D/F3) at the site of Ḥorvat Tevet, Israel. The results show that the copper in these items most likely originated in Timna. All the known LI data from the Late Bronze and early Iron Age southern Levant is then plotted to demonstrate that Arabah copper dominated the region in the early Iron Age. The significance of these objects for reconstructing exchange networks in the early Iron Age Jezreel Valley is briefly explored. We then turn to discussing the social meaning of these objects. Based on a catalogue of all known southern Levantine burials dated between the Late Bronze III (12th century bce) and Iron IIA (9th century bce) containing anklets or bracelets in association with skeletal remains with biological sex and age determinations, we conclude this was likely the burial of a high-status female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological discoveries and historical documents show that the Chengdu Plain was the most important iron production center in the southwest region of China during the Qin and Han dynasties. However, due to the lack of archaeological evidence, the iron production technology of cities in the Chengdu Plain during the Qin and Han dynasties remains unclear. The Xindu city site is located in Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu Sichuan Province. It was an important city site in the Chengdu Plain during the Han and Jin dynasties. During excavation of the Xindu city site, archaeologists unearthed a large number of metallurgical remains such as slags and tuyeres, as well as two severely damaged hearth bases near the western city wall. Scientific analysis results suggest that the metallurgical remains are related to the steel fining process and could be dated back to the Western Han Dynasty. The metallurgical remains in the Xindu city are the earliest known artifacts associated with the steel fining process in southwest China. This discovery also marks the first identification of iron industry workshops in a Han Dynasty city in the Chengdu Plain. The findings reveal a different industrial layout pattern from previously discovered Han Dynasty metallurgical sites in the Chengdu Plain. Additionally, this discovery provides archaeometallurgical evidence for the central government's development in southwest China during the Han Dynasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hastinapur is one of the prominent painted grey ware archaeological sites in the Ganga Valley. In the present communication, we report the results of the metallurgical analysis of the excavated slag samples from the site. The existence of a large number of iron objects for this site can be dated between c. 6th century BCE and c. 16th century CE, with early iron from the 8th century BCE. The morphological, microstructural and elemental studies of the excavated slag indicate a high amount of carbon in iron, indicating crucible carburization activities at this site. In addition, the presence of niobium, cobalt, etc. in the slag indicates the usage of non-traditional iron ores in the primary ironmaking stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the archaeological excavations started in 2006 at Mount Nif (Olympos) in the east of Izmir, within the borders of Kemalpaşa, Torbalı, Buca and Bornova today, the evidence of different productions was found. Especially, data on metal, and agricultural productions are evaluated in detail. Various finds showing that metal was produced in the Antiquity were found with the excavations in Karamattepe, Kemalpaşa, Vişneli. Among the ancient metallurgical activities in Karamattepe, it has become certain that bronze casting, silver separation from ore, iron smelting and iron shaping workshops were carried out. Karamattepe is a unique example in terms of presenting finds related to different metallurgical activities in the same area. Archaeological evidence of this mining and metal production activity, which is understood to have at least two phases, provided us valuable information revealing the nature and history of this settlement between Lydia and Ionia, which is not mentioned in inscriptions and ancient sources. Lacks in the typology and the dating of the products obtained as a result of these metallurgical activities are clarified with Karamattepe finds. Around Mount Nif, the surface finds belonging to the installations showing that olive oil and wine production, were made in Antiquity as well as today. The first evaluations about these show that agricultural production areas are not located in the settlement but a little further outside. Determining the functions and distributions of these agricultural production traces will provide data for studies on understanding the road networks, trade capacity and demography of the region in Antiquity.

Türkiye’de Orta Çağ kazılarında çıkarılan ve Orta Çağ’a ait temrenler üzerine çalışmalar oldukça sınırlıdır. Özellikle Orta Çağ’da, temrenlerin bilinmeyen yönleri bulunmaktadır. Bu bilinmeyenlerin ortaya çıkarılması için arkeometalurji çalışmaları günümüzde daha çok önem kazanmaktadır. Temrenlerde, diğer arkeolojik kazı buluntularında olduğu gibi etrafında bulunan diğer eserlerin varlığına veya katmanlarına göre dönem tespiti yapılmaktadır, ancak yaş tespiti dönemin üretim ve şekillendirme işlemleri hakkında bilgi vermemektedir. Bu anlamda, bu çalışmada Konya Gevale Kalesi bölgesinde bulunan temrenler arkeometalurjik yöntemlerle incelenmiştir. Konya Gevale Kalesi civarında bulunan temrenlerin farklı tipolojiye sahip olduğu ve temrenlerin tipolojisiyle kullanım amacı arasında bir ilişki olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. On üç yıllık kazılar sonrasında bulunan temrenler arasından i) yassı ve ii) dörtgen geometriye sahip iki farklı temren seçilerek analizleri yapılmıştır. Elde edilen kimyasal ve mikroyapısal analizler sonucunda temrenlerin ait olduğu dönemin üretim ve şekillendirme yöntemleri hakkında bilgi sahibi olunmuştur. Temrenlerin yüzey ve mikroyapı incelemelerinde taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM) ile elementel analiz spektroskopisi (EDS) ve optik mikroskop kullanılmıştır. Temrenlerin faz yapısı x-ışını kırınım (XRD) yöntemiyle incelenmiştir. Yapılan incelemelerle, o dönemin sahip olduğu teknoloji nedeniyle üretim ve şekillendirme için daha çok yumuşak çelik grubu kullanılmıştır. Aynı zamanda üretim sırasında izabe işlemlerinin yeterli ölçüde yapılamadığını ve bu nedenle çelik içerisinde istenmeyen elementlerin mevcudiyeti de gözlemlenmiştir. Öte yandan temren üretiminde genellikle döküm ve dövme yöntemlerinin kullanıldığı görülmüştür. Temrenler, uzun yıllar boyunca toprak altında kaldığı için bulundukları ortamla etkileşime girerek homojen bir şekilde korozyona uğramıştır. Ancak bulundukları ve maruz kaldıkları ortamda zaman içerisinde meydana gelen değişimler nedeniyle iç katmanlara doğru farklı korozyon ürünleri oluşumu söz konusudur.

This article presents the results of a topographical and analytical study using hh-XRF of 22 gold and gilded objects from the Archaeological and Historical Museum of A Coruña (Galicia, Spain). They are highly representative of the northwestern Iberian goldwork from the Chalcolithic (third millennium BC) to the early Roman period (first century AD). This study contributes to our knowledge of the production techniques used in those periods, as well as their evolution over time. The collection includes some of the most representative types in this area, such as Early Bronze Age “sheet collars” and torcs from the Second Iron Age. In the case of torcs, new data are provided on one of the formally best-documented types (the Artabrian type) and on those known as “Baroque torcs” that are characteristic of the final moments of this goldsmith tradition. While pieces from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age were made with alluvial gold, the torcs from the Late Iron Age contain variable amounts of silver and copper. Also detected is the frequent use of cores made of less precious metals, which were subsequently given a golden appearance using gilding techniques. The new data are discussed in light of our current knowledge of NW Iberian goldwork, one of the most representative of this craft tradition in Western Europe for those periods.

Copyright of Turcology Research is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Höyük is the property of Turkish Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article presents the results of a topographical and analytical study using hh-XRF of 22 gold and gilded objects from the Archaeological and Historical Museum of A Coruña (Galicia, Spain). They are highly representative of the northwestern Iberian goldwork from the Chalcolithic (third millennium BC) to the early Roman period (first century AD). This study contributes to our knowledge of the production techniques used in those periods, as well as their evolution over time. The collection includes some of the most representative types in this area, such as Early Bronze Age "sheet collars" and torcs from the Second Iron Age. In the case of torcs, new data are provided on one of the formally best-documented types (the Artabrian type) and on those known as "Baroque torcs" that are characteristic of the final moments of this goldsmith tradition. While pieces from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age were made with alluvial gold, the torcs from the Late Iron Age contain variable amounts of silver and copper. Also detected is the frequent use of cores made of less precious metals, which were subsequently given a golden appearance using gilding techniques. The new data are discussed in light of our current knowledge of NW Iberian goldwork, one of the most representative of this craft tradition in Western Europe for those periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This archive lists ~8000 Bronze Age British axeheads, alongside associated compositional analyses, isotopic measurements and radiocarbon dates. It integrates several major existing data collection efforts and published catalogues, whilst also providing a self-consistent basic typology. It is archived as four related flat-sheet text files and could be reused to support quantitative assessment of geographic and temporal patterns in metalwork style, deposition, recovery, hoard co-occurrence and/or metallurgical compositions to name just a few salient topics.

Hoard finds from the Bronze Age have appeared all over Europe, prompting questions about their functions (either as raw materials for recycling or votive objects). The hoard trove of raw materials from Przybysław in Greater Poland is an interesting example of a discovery that is related to the foundry activities of Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age communities (c. 600 BC). The deposit consists of fragments of raw materials that were damaged end products intended for smelting. The research included the characterisation of the material in terms of the variety of the raw materials that were used. The individual elements of the hoard were characterised in terms of their chemical compositions, microstructures, and properties. A range of modern instrumental research methods were used: metallographic macroscopic and microscopic observations by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), chemical-composition analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (ED-XRF), X-ray microanalysis (EDS), and detailed crystallisation analysis by electron microscopy with an emphasis on electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). As part of this study, model alloys were also prepared for two of the selected chemical compositions, (i.e., CuPbSn and CuPb). These alloys were analysed for their mechanical and technological properties. This research of the hoard from Przybysław (Jarocin district, Greater Poland) has contributed to the recognition and interpretation of the function and nature of the hoard by using modern research and modelling methods as a cultic raw material deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the level of metallurgical and foundry technology in prehistoric times requires the examination of raw material finds, including elongated ingots, which served as semi-finished products ready for further processing. It is rare to find such raw material directly at production settlements, but Wicina in western Poland is an exception. During the Hallstatt period (800-450 BC), this area, situated along the middle Oder River, benefited from its favorable location in the heart of the Central European Urnfield cultures and developed networks for raw material exchange and bronze foundry production. Numerous remnants of casting activities, such as clay casting molds, casting systems, and raw materials, have been discovered at the Wicina settlement. This article aims to provide an archaeometallurgical interpretation of raw material management and utilization by prehistoric communities during the Early Iron Age. To achieve this, a collection of 31 ingots from the defensive settlement in Wicina, along with two contemporary deposits from Bieszków and Kumiałtowice, both found within a 20 km radius of the stronghold, were studied. Investigations were conducted using a range of methods, including optical microscopy(OM), scanning electron microscopy (SE M), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SE M-EDS), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (ED-XRF), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), AAS and ICP-OES spectrometer. The significance of ingots is examined in the context of increasing social complexity and the rising popularity of bronze products, which necessitated diversified production and a demand for raw materials with different properties and, consequently, different chemical compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Spal: Revista de Prehistoria y Arqueologia de la Universidad de Sevilla is the property of Spal. Revista de Prehistoria y Arqueologia de la Universidad de Sevilla and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An archaeometallurgical study of a Renaissance breach pike was performed to elucidate its manufacturing process. Optical microscopy observations and microhardness measurements indicated that the breach pike was forged starting from a heterogeneous steel lump. The microstructural features were compatible with post-forging air cooling. The chemistry of a large set of nonmetallic inclusions was investigated by scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersive spectroscopy. Compositional data were analyzed by multivariate statistics to distinguish smelting-related slag inclusions. A logistic regression model indicated that the steel was probably produced by the direct method. The liquidus temperatures of the slag inclusions indicated maximum smelting temperatures in the range of 1200 °C to 1300 °C. A thermodynamic-based model was adopted to estimate the average smelting conditions in terms of temperature and oxygen chemical potential and investigate the disequilibrium of slag inclusion–metal systems. For low-disequilibrium systems, the computed temperature values range between 1095 °C and 1118 °C, while the oxygen chemical potentials (μO2) span from −442 to −374 kJ/mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron has been one of the most critical technotraditions that had lasting impact on social formation throughout the Iron Age and historical period. Iron was used in warfare and subsistence economy. Our knowledge on ancient iron smelting and working have generally been derived from ethnography and ethnohistory, which is by all means, time, region, and raw material specific. Scientific analyses of ancient iron have contributed in understanding this heritage to a respectable extent, yet a comprehensive knowledge about the evolution of iron making through time and space in India eludes us. In this work, a comparative study of iron artefacts from two Iron Age/Megalithic‐Early Historic sites of Tamil Nadu, south India, that is, Mangadu (burial site) and Ambal (habitation‐cum‐burial site) is carried out to understand the iron thermal‐processing capabilities. The retrieved artefacts were examined using X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) for elemental composition. The imaging of the artefacts was done using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), and Optical Microscopy (OM). In addition, phase identification was performed using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Combination of these analyses illustrates that inhabitants of Mangadu and Ambal were aware of the iron alloy manufacturing/processing techniques such as forging and hammering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the results of a materials science analysis of artifacts from Grave 89 at the cemetery of Karzec in central Poland. The findings suggest a possible specialization in the metallurgical craft of the Lusatian culture during the Late Bronze Age. Reference is also made to similar burials in the Lusatian culture. The analysis of the casting molds shows different stages of production and indicates increased mobility of the craftsman. The results of the investigations are presented in the form of spectra and tables. It is recommended to conduct further research using modern analytical methods to verify these hypotheses. [Extracted from the article]

We studied the abandoned mining field in southern Poland using high-resolution lidar images to distinguish the number of mining shaft remains and their morphological diversity. We identified 13,864 remains of mining shafts of various sizes (2–30 m in diameter) and diverse levels of denudation. This allowed us to select 13 mining shafts for detailed study. The radiocarbon dating of charcoal and peat from the shafts indicate three phases of exploitation in the study area: the Roman and early migration period (2nd century b.c.–6th century a.d.), the Middle Ages (6th–14th century a.d.), and the modern period (15th–17th century a.d.). The data on metal ore exploitation in the European Barbaricum is scarce and, in the study area itself, historical written sources indicate the onset of mining only in the 12th century a.d. Therefore, ore exploitation in the study area during the Roman period and early migration period, as well as in the early Middle Ages, is an unexpected result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil serves as a repository of human history, preserving artifacts within its horizons. However, the presence of chemically reactive remnants, such as ancient slags, can significantly impact the surrounding soil environment. This paper addresses this scarcely explored issue by focusing on soil contamination arising from pre-Roman slag deposits at the Monte Romero archaeological site in southwest Spain, dating back to the Tartessian period (c. 7th century BC). Through the high-resolution microscopy examination of slag wastes and the trace element analysis of soil samples by ICP-OES, this study evaluated current contamination status using a multi-index approach. The results revealed markedly high levels of Pb (>5000 mg kg−1), Cu (up to 2730 mg kg−1), and As (up to 445 mg kg−1) in the soil compared to a control sample. The identification of secondary complex compounds like Cu arsenates and Pb arsenates/antimonates within slag cavities suggests post-depositional weathering processes, leading to the dispersion of potentially toxic elements into the surrounding soil. Assessments through indices of contamination and potential ecological risk highlighted severe contamination, particularly concerning Ag, Pb, Sb, Cu, and As. This study underscores the importance of addressing potential environmental hazards associated with archaeological sites hosting remnants of metal production.

In the present work, synthetic slags (FeO-SiO2-CaO-P2O5-Al2O3-TiO2-V2O5 system) mimicking the composition of the slag inclusions of Ipanema were solidified at different cooling rates. FactSage software was used to calculate the slag’s phase equilibria from 500ºC to 1600°C to guide the microstructural characterisation. The samples solidified with slower cooling rates featured wüstite dendrites and a eutectic-like matrix, with intradendritic (Al,V,Ti)-containing iron spinel precipitates in the wüstite. The rapidly solidified slag showed refined wüstite dendrites surrounded by a Fe-O-Si-Ca-containing amorphous single-phase matrix without intradendritic (Al,V,Ti)-containing iron spinel precipitation. The comparison of the calculated phase diagram with the as-cast microstructures showed a few discrepancies. For instance, the FactSage’s database must be updated to consider the simultaneous solubility of Al, V and Ti in the thermodynamic description of the spinel phases, such as FToxid-SP-V, FToxid-SPINA, FToxid-TiSp and (FeO)2(TiO2)(s). Finally, the intradendritic precipitation of (Al,V,Ti)-containing iron spinel phases in the wüstite of the slag inclusions indicated that an Ipanema’s iron artefact was exposed to high service temperatures between 750 and 1050ºC.

A cemented limonite deposit and sunken features recorded at the Mikniškiai settlement site (mid-1st century BC – early 3rd century AD) have been interpreted as potential signs of shallow opencast ore mining. Inhabitants of this area of Lithuania maintained close relations with the Bogaczewo culture, through which knowledge of iron metallurgy spread. However, the archaeometallurgical investigation revealed that the tested samples represent natural bog ore that was insufficiently Fe-enriched material for iron smelting. There were no attempts to increase the iron content by proper pre-processing of the ore. Moreover, the archaeological investigation revealed no traces of ore roasting and not a single piece of iron slag was found at the site. This implies that to assume the occurrence of ore-rich sediments in the vicinity of Iron Age settlements as an indication of iron bloomery might be premature and the circumstances of their discovery allow more than one alternative interpretation.

A group of coins excavated at Qasr-e Abu Nasr, Shiraz, in south-central Iran, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was studied and analyzed to examine the minting processes and to reconsider the numismatic history of the site. For this purpose, forty-three gold-, silver-, and copper-based coins were studied and analyzed by micro-X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and metallographic techniques. The results of the analyses showed a wide range of alloy compositions. The gold coins are comprised of impure gold and electrum, while the silver coins are made of either near pure silver or debased silver copper. The copper-based coins are struck from a range of alloys, namely impure copper, tin bronze, leaded copper, and high-leaded tin bronze, closely correlated to the date and place of minting. The results of this interdisciplinary study provide new insights into the archaeology of Qasr-e Abu Nasr, as well as present new information about the history of minting on the Iranian Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the study of an assemblage of scrap bronze guns recovered from the Delta III site, identified as a Dutch merchant ship lost in the port of Cadiz, Spain, about the third quarter of the seventeenth century. This kind of remains is seldom preserved and therefore stands as a unique source for addressing modern bronze gunfounding. Its main characteristics and drawbacks were outlined and discussed on historical and archaeological grounds. The gun remains and casting by-products were recorded, and pieces were identified through their design, decoration, and marks. A metallurgical study of selected samples was carried out by visual inspection and microstructural and chemical analyses by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. A better understanding of the quality and manufacturing process of the pieces and the conditioning factors of the failed casting was achieved by this approach. Results provided new insights into the gunfounding process, with emphasis on a renowned atelier of German bell and cannon founders, along with the associated international markets and recycling practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of BHM Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of BHM Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The use of gold for artefact productions underwent substantial developments during Iron Age in western Europe, with the diversification of alloy compositions and the introduction of new technologies and aesthetics. This work presents a detailed study of a Late Iron Age earring from the western Iberian Peninsula and a discussion taking into consideration the alloys and technologies used at the time. The earring has a complex structure, composed of block- and strip-twisted wires and granulation. Characterization by multifocus optical microscopy, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF), micro-XRF and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were performed to obtain information on the chemical composition and manufacturing techniques. Results show that the earring was manufactured with wires and granules made of a silver-rich alloy, covered with a gold-rich layer 45 μm thick on average, which acted as an external coating making the entire earring resemble gold. This is a rare example of an Iron Age gilded earring, and its detailed study provides further information on the manufacturing solutions adopted by the Iron Age goldsmiths.

Brass quickly overtook bronze as the dominant copper alloy across vast areas of the Roman world and beyond during the 1st century BC. It has also been established that the quality of this brass changed over time. To establish whether a rapid transition from bronze to brass also took place in the north-eastern Baltic, over 1200 copper-alloy objects were analysed non-destructively by pXRF. They were primarily sourced from the tarand cemeteries of Estonia and northern Latvia, which date to the Pre-Roman and Roman Iron Ages. The aim was to establish which alloys were in use during these periods, then to determine whether any chronological trends were visible and, if so, for which typological groups. The results show that there was a major shift from bronze to brass towards the end of the Pre-Roman and the early Roman Iron Ages. This is followed by a decline in the use of brass in favour of gunmetal over the following centuries. The results also suggest the existence of an introductory period when traditional bronze and newly arriving brass items circulated together. However, this period better matches a time slightly earlier than that traditionally proposed for the start of Estoniaâs Roman Iron Age. This pXRF survey presents a better understanding of the arrival of brass in the north-eastern Baltic and adds to our knowledge about the effectiveness of long distance trade and communication networks that transferred new objects, ideas, and technologies to these distant communities.

This article is an editorial discussing the importance of transdisciplinary approaches to studying metal procurement and exchange in archaeology. The authors argue that interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to fully understand the complex life histories of ancient metals. They highlight the need for better methodological integration and synthesis, as well as the benefits of transdisciplinary work in advancing archaeological science. The article also provides examples of recent studies that demonstrate the value of transdisciplinary research in uncovering new insights about ancient metal technologies and trade networks. [Extracted from the article]

The North Eastern Baltic has no copper resources of its own, meaning that Cu alloy was imported either as raw material or as finished objects. The north‐eastern coastline of Estonia during the late pre‐Roman and Roman Iron Age was connected to the south by sea to the long‐distance 'amber' trade route and to the east by Russian river systems. This study quantitatively assesses the direction of the Cu alloy supply in the region before and after brass enters circulation at the beginning of the Roman Iron Age. After an initial portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) survey, 18 objects were chosen for Pb isotope analysis. This isotope analysis resolved a group of nine brass artefacts from the Roman Iron Age amongst a 'melting pot' of other Cu alloys. The similarity between the isotope ratios found in the Roman world suggests the presence of the same 'melting pot' in the North Eastern Baltic, possibly created by a large amount of Roman Cu alloy being traded north. No evidence for Cu alloy from Scandinavia or the Ural Mountains could be found. The hypothesis from this small study is that the Cu alloy entering Estonia was dominated by metal from Southern Europe from the late pre‐Roman Iron Age and the Roman period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]