Technological lessons learned from archaeometric examinations of inlaid iron finds

This study examines the alloy of the inlay decoration found on iron objects from the medieval Carpathian Basin (7th–11th centuries) and draws conclusions from the findings regarding the lessons learned from the use of materials and the characteristics of contemporary technology. Regarding the material of the inlay, the focus of the examinations is on brass and its zinc content, primarily from the dual perspective that the colour of the decoration should resemble gold as closely as possible, while at the same time remain malleable enough to be shaped cold according to the pattern. Most of the objects examined were stirrups, but the inlaid-work of an iron folding chair and double-edged swords is also presented. Another aim of the study is to present methodological lessons regarding a series of examinations in which fundamentally only a non-destructive method (handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer) was used for determining chemical composition — which is essentially very usable but of somewhat limited effectiveness — and, in some special cases, microstructural analysis was performed on prepared samples using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscope. The results of the analyses showed that although the compositional ratio of the brass in individual objects and object types varied slightly, it was essentially within the range that allowed for a gold-like luster and remained malleable even when cold. The steps and conditions of the contemporary process could be outlined; at the same time, no traces of surface dezincification were found.