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204. Other metals: smelting and production of alloys

By HMS Datasheets

Archaeology Datasheet 204

Other metals: smelting and production of alloys

This datasheet provides a brief introduction to the manufacture of several non-ferrous metals (zinc, mercury, antimony and arsenic) that have not been covered elsewhere in this series. The metals covered in this datasheet were often rather difficult to produce and many were used rarely. Nevertheless, these metallic elements are frequently detected in copper alloys or tin-lead alloys. Their occurrence in these contexts suggests that they were inadvertently incorporated during the smelting of another metal.

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203. Tin: smelting and production of alloys

By HMS Datasheets

Archaeology Datasheet 203

Tin: smelting and production of alloys

Tin (Sn) is a soft, silvery-white metal which has been used for the production of a wide range of artefacts. Tin has occasionally been used on its own but most tin has been used in alloys with other metals. Tin is obtained by smelting suitable ores which are found in only a few parts of Europe. Until the end of the 19th century Cornwall was one of the most important sources of tin in the world.

This datasheet includes details on ore sources and smelting.

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202. Copper: smelting and production of alloys

By HMS Datasheets

Archaeology Datasheet 202

Copper: smelting and production of alloys

Copper (Cu) is a soft, reddish metal which has been used for the production of a wide range of artefacts. Since the end of the Bronze Age it has been used primarily in the manufacture of decorative objects. Copper is obtained by smelting suitable ores and is most commonly used in the form of alloys; that is, other pure metals are added to produce new metals with different properties.

This datasheet includes details on ore sources and mines, smelting and copper alloy types.

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201. Metals and their properties

By HMS Datasheets

Archaeology Datasheet 201

Metals and their properties

Metals are crystalline materials that are good conductors of both electricity and heat; they are usually malleable, ductile and shiny. They are commonly divided into ferrous and non-ferrous metals; the former comprises iron and its alloys, and the latter includes all other metals. Non-ferrous metals are often divided into precious metals (gold, silver and their alloys) and base metals (all other metals). The range of properties displayed by metals has allowed their use in many applications, from currency and jewellery through tools and weapons to structural metal for buildings.

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107. X-radiography and archaeometallurgy

By HMS Datasheets

Archaeology Datasheet 107

X-radiography and archaeometallurgy

X-radiography is an imaging technique that has numerous applications in archaeology and archaeometallurgy. The primary uses are to examine
form, structure and condition of artefacts in order to provide identifications and descriptions. This datasheet concentrates on how X-radiography can contribute to the archaeometallurgical evidence, from metal preparation to waste products and artefacts.

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106. Chemical analysis of metalwork and metalworking debris

By HMS Datasheets

Archaeology Datasheet 106

Chemical analysis of metalwork and metalworking debris

The use of an instrument to determine the presence of particular elements in a material/sample. The range of elements which can be detected as well the accuracy, precision and sensitivity (limit of detection) vary widely between different instruments (see below).

This datasheet introduces the techniques used, and the concepts of precision, accuracy and sensitivity.

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105. Textures, microstructures and metallography

By HMS Datasheets

Archaeology Datasheet 105

Textures, microstructures and metallography

Metals and related materials provide a great deal of information on the ways in which they were manufactured and used. Some of this information can be gained from a simple visual examination of the objects. Supplementary information can be gained through a consideration of the chemical composition of the material (e.g. metal alloy type, impurities, etc) and some from the examination of the structure of the materials at a microscopic level.

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HMS News: Issue 040

By HMS Newsletter
Contains: *Early copper smelting site on the Great Orme. *Evidence of coin production in Saxon Thetford. *Migration period die for cross-hatching gold foil. *Experimental iron smelting. *Use of Cast Iron in Medieval England.

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