Metallurgi i Uppåkra: Smältor och halvfabrikat

Seventy-seven metal detector finds from Uppakra have been analysed with the electron microprobe. A variety of materials were analysed: gold (including electrum), silver, copper gunmetal, bronze, brass, lead, zinc (despite compositional similarities with Roman material, probably of recent origin) and speiss. Processes encountered comprise depletion gilding (by heating gold items with salts), cupellation, indirect bronze smelting (adding cassiterite to molten copper), as well as evidence of soldering with silver-copper alloys. Several metal bars were found to be identical or closely related alloys - in few cases, the relations could be extended to finished artefacts (fibulas). Much of the craft was most likely carried out at the site on a permanent basis, including some metallurgical trial-and-error, Regarding the provenance of the metals, connections with Germany (Harz, Rhine valley) or the Alps seem plausible, as well as with Cornwall.