Informational Value of Medieval Metal’s Chemical Composition Based on Two Groups of Copper-Alloy Jewelry Cover Image

Информативность химического состава средневекового металла на примере двух групп украшений из медных сплавов
Informational Value of Medieval Metal’s Chemical Composition Based on Two Groups of Copper-Alloy Jewelry

Author(s): Ksenia S. Chugunova
Subject(s): History, Archaeology, Middle Ages
Published by: Издательский дом Stratum, Университет «Высшая антропологическая школа»
Keywords: North-West Rus’; 11th—14th centuries; small jingle bells; round pendants; chemical composition of metal; copper-based alloys;analysis;
Summary/Abstract: This paper addresses chemical composition of copper-based alloy in two groups of jewelry: round pendants and small (jingle) bells. Jewelry items were excavated in the burial complexes of the North-West part of Russia (11th—14th centuries). Their chemical composition was studied by XRF and SEM-EDX methods. The results of this analysis were shown to be informative for the purposes clarification of the date and the origin of the jewelry. There is a noticeable chronological trend in tin content in the alloys of round laced pendants. Certain dissimilarity existed in some components in the small bells from different regions (“Gdov” barrows and eastern periphery of the Izhora plateau).