Oberfläche, Werkspuren, Tauschierung: Ästhetische Metallbearbeitungstechniken der frühen Bronzezeit im Zusammenhang mit dem Hortfund von Nebra (original) (raw)

As scientific sub-project of research unit FOR550, module NW1 addressed the aesthetic factors of Bronze Age metal objects and their ornamentation. In addition to widely distributed decorative techniques like chasing and engraving, less frequently occurring techniques were also examined in detail. On the basis of the Nebra Sky Disc and its associated finds from the hoard, the aspects of damascening and artificial corrosion (patina) were for the first time ever discussed in sufficient depth. Research on a large part of inlaid Bronze Age artefacts as well as experiments provided new insights into the practice of metal inlaying (damascening) and its temporal and spatial development in Europe north of the Alps. Corrosion experiments with urine impressively showed how colour contrasts of damascened objects could easily be increased by creating polychrome corrosion layers. Furthermore, typical Bronze Age metal alloys were classified by hardness and colour to obtain clues as to why they were used. The contribution ends with the investigations of arsenic-rich surface layers on arsenical copper artefacts and their possible intentional creation.