Copper Alloy Analysis

This volume contains the proceedings of the International Conference on Medieval Copper Alloys Production, held at Dinant and Namur on 15, 16 and 17 May 2014. The conference was organised by the Service public de Wallonie (Belgium) and the Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (France). The proceedings include 34 original contributions presented by archaeologists, historians, conservators, art historians, and other specialists, including metallurgists and chemists. Collectively, they show the great diversity of approaches being taken to elaborate the multiple themes associated with copper and its alloys in the material culture of medieval and post-medieval Europe. In the late Middle Ages, there was a gradual increase in the use of copper and its alloys for making everyday objects, whether for dress accessories, such as belt buckles or small decorative studs, or in kitchens and houses where the metal became a cauldron, ewer, basin, or lavabo. In contrast to these common objects fabricated in serial or mass production, were the exceptional, discrete objects satisfying the needs of the aristocracy and liturgy. Such made-to-order masterpieces might include aquamanilia, candelabra, or lecterns. Additionally, copper alloys were used for more colossal works of art such as columns, doors, baptisteries, fountains, funeral monuments and, of course, bells. Copper was equally sought in artisanal contexts, for artillery, for musical instruments, and for coinage. In exploring such a vast subject from multiple points of view, this volume will be of interest not only to archaeologist, but also to those involved in the history of techniques, art history, economic history, and social history. It is aimed both at an informed public and to those simply curious about the history of the Middle Ages in Europe.

Šiame straipsnyje pateikiame 19-os archeologinių radinių lydinių sudėties tyrimų rezultatus, gautus naudojant portatyvų ir stacionarų rentgeno spindulių fluorescencijos spektrometrus (XRF). Šių XRF spektrometrų rezultatų sugretinimas būtinas, kadangi didžioji dalis radinių projekto apimtyje bus tiriami muziejų saugyklose naudojant portatyvią įrangą. Tyrimo tikslas yra atskleisti: kokios apimties ir informatyvumo žinias apie radinių cheminę sudėtį gauname naudodami skirtingas XRF įrangas; kiek informatyviosios vertės dera tarpusavyje; kokie pavojai slypi interpretuojant rezultatus.