Fornvännen· 2026Q1
Late Neolithic Copper Axes from South Scandinavia
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Late Neolithic copper axes from South Scandinavia were not intentionally silver-coated; observed silver traces are from post-depositional corrosion processes, not deliberate decoration.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- No evidence of intentional silver coating was found on Late Neolithic copper axes from South Scandinavia.
- Silver traces detected are attributed to post-depositional enrichment during corrosion.
- Axes with silver traces share impurity patterns consistent with fahlore copper, common in the period.
- Experimental corrosion tests support the migration of silver to oxidized surfaces.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
This study investigates whether Late Neolithic copper axes from South Scandinavia were deliberately silver-coated or if observed silver traces result from post-depositional processes. Using a multi-method approach including microscopic, metallographic, chemical analyses and non-destructive P-ED-XRF screening, we examined four axes in detail and 25 additional specimens. Results show no evidence of intentional silver coating. Instead, silver detected on some surfaces likely derives from secondary enrichment during corrosion, provided that silver was present in the original metal. Axes with silver traces share impurity patterns typical of fahlore copper, widely used in Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Europe. Experimental corrosion tests confirm that silver can migrate and concentrate at oxidised surfaces under natural conditions. These findings challenge our earlier interpretation of decorative silver coating on a Late Neolithic copper axe.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Fornvännen, 2026 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Archeology (Social Sciences)
ArcheologySocial Sciences