Chemical Composition: Fibula
XRF data from Artax 1
Alloy: Mixed Copper Alloy
Alloying Elements: copper, tin, lead, zinc
Other Elements: iron
Pin
XRF data from Artax 1
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron
K. Eremin, January 2014
Technical Observations: The surface of the object has, for the most part, a metallic appearance that is due to refinishing by filing, but it has been dulled by oxidation and in some areas by fine green and cupritic red corrosion products. The pin is worn in the areas that are in contact with the catchplate and the crossbow; the rest is smooth and coated with a shiny, dark greenish-black layer that may be corrosion. A piece of the crossbar has broken away from the center, exposing some of the rod inside it.
The fibula was cast in one piece except for the pin and the fine metal rod onto which it is hinged. Either the metal rod was inserted into the crossbar through a small opening on the end of one of the knobs, or it was inserted into the wax model coated with a fine layer of clay and with the pin already hinged on before casting. It is not clear whether the existing opening on the end of the knob is original or if it has appeared due to wear. The decorative elements on the fibula were created in the wax and then refined in the metal through filing. File marks and cuts created by the side of the file are easily distinguishable overall. The pin is made out of elongated piece of copper alloy sheet metal that has been pierced at one end, and the long edges were hammered to round the sheet out and bring it to a point.
Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2012)