Silver Prague: The results of analyses of early medieval archaeometallurgical finds from the Lesser Quarter

Abstract

The work presents archaeological finds documenting the metallurgy of non-ferrous metals of early medieval age acquired during excavations in Prague’s Lesser Quarter. These in particular include melting crucibles and bowl-shaped potsherds of common ceramics used secondarily in metallurgy. Other types of finds and situations documenting work with non-ferrous metals are less frequent (touchstones, a mould, etc.). Part of the assemblage was subjected to EDS–SEM analyses. An evaluation of their results contributed to an understanding of the types of non-ferrous metals (and their alloys) acquired and processed, to a partial clarification of the methods used in their production or the testing of the quality of their ores and their intermediate metallurgical products.