The London Protected Wreck, The Nore, off Southend-on-Sea, Thames Estuary, Essex: Compositional analyses of copper alloy and pewter objects
Author(s): Florian Stroebele, Joern Schuster
Seventeen copper alloy objects and 11 tin alloy objects from the London protected wreck site, Project HE PR6901, were analysed using XRF. The compositions of the objects are compared to reference material from other sites in order to show overall trends in metal composition. The results show that the alloy was chosen depending on the type of object. The copper alloy objects, including the navigational dividers, calipers and sundial, were mainly brass of consistent composition. The pins contained the highest zinc contents whereas the ring and weight were more complex alloys containing much less zinc and higher lead contents. The two spoons with touchmarks had surviving tinned areas. The pewter objects were especially heterogeneous. Most of the cutlery and tableware was made from Guild specified, tin-rich alloys, whereas other types of object, including the button, chamber pot, and the threaded spout, contained more lead.
- Report Number:
- 4/2019
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 35
- Keywords:
- Copper Alloy Lead Post Medieval Tin Wreck
