ANALYSIS OF NON-FERROUS METAL ARTEFACTS FROM BARRINGTON (EDIX HILL) ANGLO-SAXON CEMETERY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Author(s): C Mortimer, K Anheuser
Quantitative analysis of 26 copper alloy artefacts showed a range of copper alloys were being used. Brasses with small amounts of tin and gunmetals with about 5.4% zinc and 5.5% tin are the most common alloy types. There is little difference between the alloys used for casting and those used for wrought work, nor is there any clear evidence of alloy selection for objects to be gilded. Pairs or sets of artefacts are often of the same alloy type. The gilding on one cast saucer brooch and one applied saucer brooch was shown to be amalgam gilding (fire gilding), with a relatively high level of mercury (up to 20% Hg in one case). This suggests that the gilding was carried out at relatively low temperatures which were just sufficient to give the surface a golden colour. Tinning was also carried out at quite low temperatures which preserved a good tinned surface.
- Report Number:
- 66/1996
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 11
- Keywords:
- Copper Alloy Technology
