MetDect_WP4_README

*** MetDect WP4 Dataset on the chemical composition of non-ferrous artefacts  ***

Authors: Tuuli Kurisoo, Ragnar Saage
School of Humanities, Tallinn University; Institute of History and Archaeology, University of Tartu
Corresponding author: Tuuli Kurisoo
Contact information: tuuli.kurisoo@tlu.ee


*** General Introduction ***

This dataset contains information on the chemical composition of archaeological finds (pXRF data) from Estonia, obtained with the SPECTRO xSORT analyser in August 2022. All  analysed finds are stored at the Archaeological Research Collection of Tallinn University. The dataset consists of measurements normalised to 100% and is divided into three sections (silver brooches, pewter objects and copper alloy objects). Tuuli Kurisoo and Ragnar Saage presented the results of the analysis "A pilot study of the workshop areas in Estonia" at the 28th EAA Annual Meeting in Budapest, Hungary, in the session "Metals and metalwork in the Borderlands" on 2 September 2022. 


*** Purpose of the data collection ***

These data were collected and compiled as a part of work package (WP) 4 of the MetDect project ("Metal-detected past: a study of long-term developments in settlement patterns, technology and visual culture on the example of metal-detector finds from Estonia" funded by the European Commission, Grant Agreement ID: 101003387). The general aim of the WP4 was to gain a better understanding of the skills, knowledge and other intrinsic aspects of local production of non-ferrous objects in Estonia. The case study focused on local silver brooches, tin objects (mostly mounts and pendants) and copper alloy pendants. Most of the finds can be dated to the end of Estonian prehistory (11th-13th centuries AD). 


*** Description of the data in this dataset ***
The dataset consists of two files:
'MetDect_WP4_README.txt' - this file
'MetDect WP4: Dataset on the chemical composition of non-ferrous artefacts.xlsx' - a tabular file that contains results of the chemical composition of the artefacts, normalised to 100%. 

*** MetDect WP4 Dataset on the chemical composition of non-ferrous artefacts.xlsx. ***

Site - Place of dicovery 
Context - Find context (e.g. hoard, settlement site)
Date - Chronological date (in centuries) of the sample
Sample Result Name - Sample (artefact) number and sample specification (artefact type or rea of the sample)
Chemical elements accordng to thier symbols (e.g. Sn - Tin)

*** Sample Result Name specifications ***

silver brooches
kaar - frame
noel - pin
paha - gnarl (extension form the frame)
rongas - small loop (extension form the frame or gnarl)
parandus - repaired spot

pewter objects
ripats - pendant
naast - mount

copper alloy objects
ristripats - cross-shaped pendant
kammripats - comb-shaped pendant
kirvesripats - axe-shaped pendant