On diverse arts: crucible metallurgy and the polymetallic cycle at Scandinavia\u2019s earliest Viking town, Ribe (8th\u20139th c. CE), Denmark

V Orfanou,C Feveile,S M Sindbæk,C E Lesher,T Birch,G H Barfod

doi:10.1007/s12520-021-01308-1

V Orfanou, C Feveile + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-021-01308-1

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Abstract

This study presents results from the analytical investigation of the polymetallic, non-ferrous metallurgical cycle at early Viking Age Ribe, Denmark, in the 8th and 9th centuries CE. We combine extensive surface analyses of crucibles and moulds (handheld XRF) with targeted micro-destructive examination (micro XRF, electron microprobe spectroscopy—EPMA) of crucibles, moulds, ingots, blanks, and finished objects from the different stages of the secondary metallurgical production. Results show the working of a range of copper alloys with (leaded) brass as the most common, alongside small-scale working of silver and gold. Analytical evidence suggests a move towards technological standardisation at Ribe workshops from the pre-Viking period to the early Viking Age as reflected in the tighter compositional groupings for the crucible fabrics, the alloy choices for specific artefact types, e.g. keys and brooches, and an overall move towards high Zn brass from the 8th century to the first half of the 9th century CE. Finally, we discuss the limitations and potentials of the surface and micro-destructive analytical methods used and the insights gained from each data set and propose a direction for future research.

Highlights

We present a large-scale, multi-material analytical study of the full non-ferrous metallurgical cycle based on 8th–9th century CE workshops from Ribe, Denmark
4 Moesgaard Museum, Højbjerg 8270, Denmark 5 School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Højbjerg 8270, Denmark 6 Museum of Southern Jutland, Tønder 6270, Denmark the non-ferrous, polymetallic metalworking cycle at Ribe. It presents a key for interpreting the various material remains in relation to the subsequent metalworking stages from raw material provision to the finished objects and reuse of metals and technical ceramics
The early medieval emporium of Ribe, on the west coast of Denmark, preserves some of Europe’s best evidence for non-ferrous production including thousands of crucible and mould fragments (Brinch Madsen 1984; Frandsen and Jensen 1988; Feveile 2006a, b, 2012; Feveile and Jensen 2006). This rich record is uniquely suited for examining the secondary metalworking cycle in the formative early Viking Age before common metallurgical practices became widespread in Scandinavia

Summary

Introduction

We present a large-scale, multi-material analytical study of the full non-ferrous metallurgical cycle based on 8th–9th century CE workshops from Ribe, Denmark. We analyse and compare crucibles and moulds, metallic traces on technical ceramics and crucible slag, metals and alloys from ingots, blanks, and finished objects This multi-analytical approach reveals the technological choices and developments at Denmark 6 Museum of Southern Jutland, Tønder 6270, Denmark the non-ferrous, polymetallic metalworking cycle at Ribe. The early medieval emporium (trading port) of Ribe, on the west coast of Denmark, preserves some of Europe’s best evidence for non-ferrous production including thousands of crucible and mould fragments (Brinch Madsen 1984; Frandsen and Jensen 1988; Feveile 2006a, b, 2012; Feveile and Jensen 2006) This rich record is uniquely suited for examining the secondary metalworking cycle in the formative early Viking Age before common metallurgical practices became widespread in Scandinavia. Non-ferrous metalworking remains attest to several production stages including the mixing of metals and alloys in crucibles, casting in ceramic moulds, bar ingots, blanks (cast pieces of metal prepared by hammering or rolling and retained for further processing) and

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