Neutron diffraction analyses of Bronze Age swords from the Alpine region: Benchmarking neutron diffraction against laboratory methods

Abstract Bronze Age swords represent the peak of craftsmanship in terms of prehistoric weapon production. Following an extensive study on the manufacture and usage of Bronze Age swords from the Alpine region, we have used non-destructive time-of-flight neutron diffraction to analyse a selection of bronze swords. The diffraction patterns were used to determine the phase compositions and crystallographic textures of the copper tin alloys, in order to reveal information about the working treatment at different parts of the sword blades. Neutron diffraction analyses are benchmarked against results from reference bronze samples, as well as against X-ray fluorescence and metallographic analyses applied to the same objects. Comparing different working intensities of cold working in various areas of the sword blades can lead to information about the usage of the swords as mainly thrusting or as cut-and-thrust used weapons.