Non-destructive analyses of copper alloys and silver items from Voitenki. The recycling of metal in Cherniakhov culture

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.