Chemical composition of the Christian and pagan metal antiquities from the excavations at Medieval Novgorod on the base of interdisciplinary research

Abstract

   The present paper focuses on the new results of elemental analysis of 94 metal objects attributed to the Christian and pagan artifacts. They have been found at the excavation of Medieval Novgorod and the Novgorod region. The analytical data obtained by EDXRF in the frame of interdisciplinary research project. It includes mostly pendant-crosses as well as the round pendants and mounts with Saints, fragments of the church polycandelons and the pagan pendant-amulets. Obtained results have been examined statistically. Tin-lead bronzes clearly dominate the selection. There are also mixed copper alloys (gunmetal) with tin, zinc, and lead and lead brass. The proportions of silver and pewter alloys as well as pure tin and lead are modest. Obtained data supplemented by further research on the base of Pb-isotope methods and ICP MS results and their geological interpretation will allow to trace the ore sources of the metal objects from Novgorod.