Examinations on small bronze items from the Hallstatt period burial ground at Mitterkirchen in Upper Austria

Abstract

A partially destroyed burial ground from the Hallstatt period in the area of Mitterkirchen in Upper Austria was archaeologically investigated. The graves are dated to the Hallstatt C period corresponding to the 8th/7th century BC. Two triangular-headed nails and two lamellar "Buckel"(domed bronze plates) made of Sn-bronze were available for material investigations. One of each was subjected to metallographic examinations. The triangular-headed nail's bronze contains about 15 wt. %Sn. The dendritic cast structure and the eutectoid phase Cu41Sn11 are clearly visible. What is noticeable is that a Cu41Sn11 layer formed in some areas of the surface. The lamellar Buckel's microstructure is recrystallized and exhibits only a few deformation twins. Its bronze contains about 13 wt. %Sn. Hence, only very little Cu41Sn11 is present. Elongated Cu2S precipitates indicate that the initial sheet was manufactured by fine forging.