An elemental exploration of the metal contents of an early 13th­century craft box from Lõhavere, using pXRF
An elemental exploration of the metal contents of an early 13th­century craft box from Lõhavere, using pXRF

Summary/Abstract: The craft box recovered from a 13th­century hillfort at Lõhavere, Estonia, contained a wellpreservedselection of copper­alloy objects. The limited corrosion on these objects allowed amore accurate estimation of their compositions through non­destructive surface measurements.Using the resulting pXRF database, this study explored a possible correlation between the typesof objects and their material composition. By comparing the most common contaminants withthe alloying metals, a qualitative estimation of the material quality was conducted. The resultsshowed that despite a considerable overlap between object types, the material composition dif feredbased on the items’ appearance and function. A shift from brass to bronze and tinnedobjects coincided with a greater availability of tin at the hillfort, as well as a rise in silver smith ing.Moreover, objects with a silver appearance seemed to be more desirable in this period, apartfrom some high­status personal ornaments and traditional spiral tube decorations. The resultspossibly reflect different metalworking practices compared to earlier periods and contempo rarysites. Some evidence of recycling is present among the spiral tubes, suggesting that theyoriginated from different raw material sources, possibly removed from obsolete clothing.Alternatively, this could indicate a varying quality of imported copper­alloy, including wire,along the Hansa trade routes.

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