Metallography

The article presents the results of archaeometallurgical studies performed on a so-called copper axe recovered from the vicinity of a former village of Antoniny, Chodzież district (Great Poland).The relics of an intensive settlement activity taken by the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB) groups were recognized around the discovery place. By means of the typological analysis it was found that the so-called axe from Antoniny is a defragmented part of a Jászladány B3 type axe-adze. Its chronology can be arbitrarily placed between the late 5th and 2nd half of 4th millennium BC. The axe-adze from Antoniny is another aquatic metal finding (deposited probably also with a dagger) related to the Funnel Beaker culture. The axe-adze was described in terms of its raw material profile (EDXRF) and micro- and macrostructure (OM). With established both contextual and raw material profiles, the provenance and chronology of the deposition act of the axe-adze from Antoniny were also discussed

Radomír Pleiner’s death in January 2015 marked the end of an era. For sixty years he was one of the key figures in the study of early iron working, as demonstrated by his remarkable publication record of 12 books and over 250 papers. He was the founder member of the CPSA and remained its secretary for over forty years. An obituary was printed in the Spring 2015 issue of The Crucible, outlining his career and achievements, but it was decided that a longer, and less formal, celebration of his life and work should also be prepared. The tributes which follow include a number of personal reminiscences from the golden years of Radomír’s career, which are in a roughly chronological order, as well as a few thematic items. They are all a clear demonstration of the affection in which Radomír was held, of how widely his inspiration and influence were felt by his friends and colleagues and how they are still felt by succeeding generations. His lasting legacy will undoubtedly be his two magisterial books, Iron in Archaeology: The European Bloomery Smelters (2000) and Iron in Archaeology: Early European Blacksmiths (2006) which formed a fitting conclusion to his long and uniquely successful career. However, for those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Radomír it will be for his human qualities that he will be long remembered.

Compiled by Peter Crew and Jiří Hošek. Contributions by Szymon Orzechowski, Elzbieta Nosek, Vladimir Zavyalov, Henry Cleere, Thilo Rehren, Henriette Lyngstrøm, Brian G. Scott, Věra Souchopová, János Gömöri, Lars F. Stenvik, Michel Mangin,  Philippe Fluzin, Eva Hjärthner-Holdar, Christina Risberg, Peter and Susan Crew, Philippe Andrieux, Jiří Hošek, Vincent Serneels, Brian Gilmour, Janet Lang.

L’archeologo del XXI secolo non vive più di solo studio e scavo. Oggi la moderna ricerca impone di affiancare al lavoro in cantiere e ai libri in biblioteca modi sempre nuovi di indagare, comunicare e gestire l’antico. Bastano un po’ di fantasia, versatilità e intraprendenza per dare vita, da archeologo, alle attività più disparate. Come hanno fatto i 34 professionisti che si raccontano in Archeostorie: c’è chi cura un museo e chi gestisce un’area archeologica, chi narra il passato ai bambini e chi lo “fa vedere” ai ciechi, chi usa nel racconto le tecnologie e i linguaggi più diversi e persino i videogame; c’è poi chi ricostruisce l’antico in 3D e chi lo sperimenta dal vivo, chi organizza i dati di scavo e chi li rende disponibili per tutti; c’è chi scrive sui giornali e chi parla di archeologia alla radio o in tivù, chi realizza documentari e chi racconta l’archeologia sui social network; c’è ancora chi punta sul marketing e chi sul crowdfunding, chi fa dell’archeologia un’esperienza per tutti e chi difende le bellezze da furti e scempi. C’è anche chi studia e scava, e nel libro descrive la vita vera di studio e scavo al di là dei miti e dei sogni.
Il risultato è un manuale non convenzionale che offre spunti originali e concreti agli archeologi del futuro in cerca di reali possibilità di occupazione. Una sorta di bottega artigiana dove apprendere i segreti del mestiere, o meglio dei mestieri, che un’archeologia nuova, pragmatica e ancorata nel presente può ispirare.

En este trabajo se discuten algunos defectos superficiales típicos de los productos largos de aceros al carbono, tales como alambrón y barras lisas y nervadas, a los efectos de mostrar algunas técnicas metalográficas que ayudan a definir la etapa del proceso en la que se formó el defecto, la localización original del defecto si ya existía como tal en la palanquilla, etc. Conocer el origen de los defectos, trae aparejado la posibilidad de implementar las correcciones necesarias en los procesos con el propósito de eliminarlos y mejorar la calidad del producto. Se revisan defectos superficiales tales como grietas, escamas, pliegues, marcas y rozaduras. En cada caso, se discute los rasgos que se pueden observar mediante microscopía óptica, sobre cortes pulidos sin ataque o bajo ataque con Nital, cromato sódico alcalino, reactivo de Oberhoffer, etc.

Archaeometallurgical study of copper alloy tools and model tools from the Old Kingdom necropolis at Giza, deposited in the Egyptian Museum – Georg Steindorff – of Leipzig University. The case study is a part of the monograph "Old Kingdom Tools and Model Tools" written by Martin Odler. The book can be purchased here: http://www.archaeopress.com/Public/displayProductDetail.asp?id=%7BDED38ACF-A714-4454-8448-4C8C91A92F43%7D

The common failures mechanisms of boiler components at elevated temperatures and monitoring techniques used in power plants to detect damaging or failures are generally well described in literature. Despite of different classification concerning the principal failure mechanisms of boiler thermal power plant components, it is necessary to emphasize that essential difference between these classification does not exist. Concerning the different failures mechanisms it is obvious that the most of them are completely explained and clear in physical sense of process but some of them are not still so explicit. Therefore, until today there is a great interest to investigate the failures of power plant boiler components especially having in mind the all peculiarities of particular events. This efforts are necessary while a full assessment of the failure mechanism(s) is required to prevent further failures due to the same causes. The numerous case studies presented in this paper were done as a contribution to this efforts.

Article from "Abusir and Saqqara in the year 2020" proceedings

The main aim of this paper is to report preliminary results of the archaeometallurgical study of selected samples of Old Kingdom artefacts (Fourth to Sixth Dynasty, ca. 2600–2180 BC) excavated at the Egyptian site of Abusir by the Czech Institute of Egyptology. Although the possibilities of the use of archaeometallurgical methods are limited in contemporary Egypt, some can be applied. The samples were studied using the methods of metallography/optical microscopy and (portable) X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in the laboratory of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology (IFAO), and the Archaeometry Department in Cairo. Thanks to the present project, the social framework of the Old Kingdom copper artefacts will be supplemented for the first time with data about the physical properties and chemical composition of the objects themselves. While the analyses brought largely expected results of the composition of most model tools, miniature vessels and an altar made of copper with traces of arsenic, there are also some surprises including the first possible Old Kingdom arsenical copper ingot. The paper also contains a brief overview of previous analytical work on metals from Abusir started by Friedrich Rathgen, the founder of conservation science, in the early 20th century.

Keywords: Old Kingdom – Abusir – copper metallurgy – arsenical copper – X-ray fluorescence – metallography – ingot

In late atumn 1567 a Danish army led by by the excellent commander Daniel Rantzau advanced north towards the castle of Jönköping. Their aim was to strike a decisive blow against the heartland of the Swedish realm, thus forcing the enemy to surrender or at least negotiate. What today is know as the Nordic Seven Years War had been going on since 1563 and the war-weariness spread rapidly among both soldiers and the ordinary population. And even more important - the treasuries in both countries were almost empty, meaning that armies consisting of mercenaries could not be kept together as fighting units much longer. Something had to be done.

The offensive of october 1567 followed the main highway from the Danish costal province of Halland into the neighbouring Swedish county of Småland. Here the primitive road followed the Nissan river valley. Despite the hilly terrain, dense woodland and late atumn rains Rantzau managed to lead his force to Jönköping in ten days, an impressive feat considering the fact that the army numbered 8 000 men, including cavalry, artillery and a large wagon train with supplies and followers.

For most of the time the outnumbered Swedish defenders kept their distance, avoiding open combat. Instead they blocked the road by felling trees and destroying bridges. But about 20 km southwest of Jönköping a blockhouse and some simple field fortifications in a good defensive position were manned by about 1000 men, both regular soldiers and local militia. The place was wisely chosen, being a hill and a flanking ridge overlooking the highway just where it left a long narrow causeway after having crossed a bog. But against the defenders came some of the best soldiers of their time; Danish, Scottish and German mercenaries led by Christoffer von Dohna. They were the vanguard of Rantzaus main army, also counting about 1000 men. But they were far better equipped, battlewise and expertly led. So, after a first skirmish and some initial losses von Dohna let loose his cavalry unit in a flanking movement while his infantry pushed uphill, along the road. The Swedish position was overrun and what can best be described as a slaughter started when the defenders tried to flee. Then followed the sacking of the Swedish camp.

Still, the Swedish High Command had reached their goal. By delaying Rantzau's army for several hours they got the time needed to destroy the bridges and causeways across the vast Dumme Mosse bog. And by doing so, winning another day on the Danish advance, they managed to evacuate and burn their own town and fortress, Jönköping, thus depriving Rantzau of an important base for a winter offensive. It was right - in theory. But instead of retreating to Danish territory the enemy commander pushed on into the rich county of Östergötland. There the army stayed, sacking and plundering, into the winter months of 1568 when lack of reinforcements resulted in a long march south, back to Denmark. In the end nothing had been achieved and the war went on for another three years...

Rantzau's offensive and the battle of Getaryggen has been the focus for a research project, managed by the Miliseum Museum in Skillingaryd and Jönköpings County Museum. The actual battlefield has been located and surveyed in 2010 and 2011. Despite a terrain quite unsuitable for metal detectors a number of finds tells the story of an almost forgotten conflict some 444 years ago. Lead bullets are few, but instead there are crossbow bolts, a short sword, knives, horse equipment and some tools that might have been used as "weapons" by the local militia. It has been possible to interpret the battle by using Rantzaus own war diary, topographical observations and the distribution of the finds. And today the battlefield is registered as an ancient monument and is given legal protection against plundering.

So far, so good. But now it's time to go one step further with the 1567-project. Having found the battlefield, our aim is to begin looking at the consequences of this conflict. Written sources tells us about an almost total devastation; of farms, villages and churches burned or plundered. Of a population starving in the harsh winter of 1568. Here is an important field of research as Småland today is seen as the most peaceful part of the world one could ever imagine. But following in the tracks of Rantzau's army you begin to see things quite differently. Because once this was a region harried by border wars over and over again...

The Egyptian Museum of the University of Leipzig has the largest university collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in Germany. It includes important objects from the excavations of the most prolific excavator among the museum’s curators, Georg Steindorff, at the sites of Abusir, Aniba, and Giza, complemented by objects from Abydos, Thebes, and Kerma. The catalogue represents the results of an interdisciplinary project by Egyptologist and archaeologist Martin Odler, archaeometalurgist Jiří Kmošek and other participating researchers. A selection of 86 artefacts was analysed using a range of archaeometallurgical methods (X-ray fluorescence; metallography; neutron activation analysis; lead isotope analysis), providing a diachronic sample of Bronze Age Egyptian copper alloy metalwork from Dynasty 1 to Dynasty 19.

Besides currently popular focus on the ore provenance, the selection of the applied methods aimed also at the description of practical physical properties of the objects. The question of differences between full-size functional artefacts and models is addressed, as is the problem of 'imports' and their ethnic interpretation. The analyses brought many unexpected results to light, the most surprising being a bowl (ÄMUL 2162) made of arsenical copper high in nickel, which has parallels in Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age Anatolia, and was featured in an article in the Journal of Archaeological Science in 2018. The corpus presented here involves the largest analysed metalwork assemblage from the Nubian C-Group and the Egyptian New Kingdom, and it addresses the issue of the use of local Nubian ore sources versus the sources of copper from Cyprus and elsewhere.

The study presents the results of a revisory study of nine early medieval swords and their parts from Pohansko near Břeclav. The find assemblage is composed of both old and new unpublished finds. The study contains a description of the archaeological context in which the swords were discovered and a detailed typological-metallographic analysis. The swords are precisely dated using stratigraphic and radiocarbon methods, which make it possible to place them in the broader context of the European-wide development of early medieval swords. The study also brings new impulses to the discussion on the social standing of the sword-users based on the application of the sociological concepts of Pierre Bourdieu.

The smithy site of Käku, dated to the 14th-17th century CE, contains four different smithies built on top of each other. Finds from the site contain evidence from iron forging, casting and forging of copper alloys, and bone working. Metallographic analysis of iron blooms and bars from the smithy site has proved to be a valuable source of information for understanding the variety of activities performed at the site. The iron processing ranged from primary forging of iron blooms into bars, the manufacture of artefacts like knives, and the recycling of old cutting tools into bars which could be reused to produce new items. As smithies are quite rare sites to be excavated, the information obtained from Käku helps to shed light on the activities performed in the rural smithies and determine the rural smiths' role in the iron processing chain in the Late Medieval and Early Modern period.

An assemblage of ancient Egyptian metalwork from the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom periods, currently in the Egyptian Museum of Leipzig University (Germany), has been studied using a wide range of available archaeometallurgical methods. The 3rd millennium BC Egyptian copper metallurgy is known only superficially until now. The data are interpreted in the framework of the known and reconstructed distribution networks of ancient Egyptian society. The production technology of the objects has been examined. The lead isotope analyses have made it possible to discuss the origin of the ore used for the production of Old Kingdom metalwork for the first time. A rather surprising presence in the Early Dynastic assemblage of object similar in isotopic ratios to Anatolian Early Bronze Age metalwork is discussed.

During the late 1980s, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy played an important role in developing our understanding of the composition of ancient bronze coins in the Iberian Peninsula , but the studies involved addressed only individual mints and issues and did not aim at developing a wider picture. Between 1995 and 1999, Abascal and Ripollès, building on previous work, undertook a series of metallographic analyses, also using XRF spectroscopy, published in four papers . Their goal was to produce an initial databank of information on the composition of coinages minted in the Iberian Peninsula during the Republican period and the early Empire, and map this. This remains the only systematic treatment of this material so far completed, though some further analyses were undertaken by other scholars .
The aim of this paper is to add yet more data to the existing databank of metallographic analysis of Iberian coinages, and present the results of an analysis and comparison of the composition of the bronze coins of the Punic mint of Ebusus and the Iberian mints of NE Spain, during the 3rd-1st c. B.C.E.: 339 coins were analyzed using XRF spectroscopy. In the case of Ebusus, the sample was large enough to make possible a diachronic study of the metal composition during the life of this mint.