Non-destructive analyses of copper alloys and silver items from Voitenki. The recycling of metal in Cherniakhov culture
Volume 28 (2021), pp. 8–24
Pub. online: 29 December 2021
Type: Article
Open Access
Open Access
Received
3 June 2021
3 June 2021
Revised
14 July 2021
14 July 2021
Accepted
4 August 2021
4 August 2021
Published
29 December 2021
29 December 2021
Abstract
Brooches, belt buckles and other metal objects with a specific design are considered characteristic
of Cherniakhov culture. In contrast with well-known typologies, the metal composition of these
objects has rarely been investigated. Forty-four artefacts from the settlement and cemetery at
Voitenki (east Ukraine) were chosen for metal analysis. The fibulae selected, for example, consist
of crossbow tendril brooches, crossbow brooches with a closed catch-plate, brooches with a high
catch-plate, and other types. A total of 38 finds were made of non-ferrous metal; for six objects,
silver was presumed. The precise metal composition was determined by PIXE (particle-induced
X-ray emission) analysis. Based on this method, copper, bronze and brass could be determined
as material for the brooches and buckles. The bronze objects were divided into forged bronze and
cast bronze; furthermore, mixed material was detected. But these groups and subgroups of metal
do not coincide with archaeological types. Crossbow tendril brooches were first of all made of
copper, although some consist of bronze or brass. Cast bronze was used for manufacturing some
cast types of brooches. The producer probably intentionally selected this material to cast. But on
the other hand, it seems that the producer used the material that was available, for example, cast
bronze for forged brooches. For silver finds, the PIXE analysis detected a high content of this
metal. A comparison of the results with analyses of Roman silver denarii led us to the hypothesis
that such Roman coins were used as ‘raw material’ for manufacturing these silver items.