Gold, Silver and Bronze Analysis of Three Fragments of Technical Ceramic from Elsfleth-Hogenkamp, Germany

Abstract

Two crucible fragments were found during recent excavations in levels dated to the Roman imperial period in Elsfleth-Hogenkamp, a  site interpreted to be a beach market located at the junction of the Hunte and Weser Rivers with water access to the North Sea. The  crucible fragments were discovered in cultural layers dated to the 2nd-3rd centuries AD in an excavation trench placed near the  concentration of metalworking debris, copper-alloy objects and casting waste found during terestrial metaldetecting surveys. Near this concentration in southwest part of the site, a fragment of technical ceramic with copper-alloy corrosion products was found as a  surface find. These three pieces of technical ceramic were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy and compared  with five pottery sherds of local manufacture. Evidence of the casting of gold, silver, bronze and copper was found as well as the  importation of high quality technical ceramic. This study focuses on the material and technical aspects of the metallurgical ceramics  and the results raise further questions on the meaning and organization of metalworking at the site.