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Tin (Sn) is a soft, silvery-white metal which has been used for the production of a wide range of artefacts. Tin has occasionally been used on its own but most tin has been used in alloys with other metals. Tin is obtained by smelting suitable ores which are found in only a few parts of Europe. Until the end of the 19th century Cornwall was one of the most important sources of tin in the world.

This datasheet includes details on ore sources and smelting.

Copper (Cu) is a soft, reddish metal which has been used for the production of a wide range of artefacts. Since the end of the Bronze Age it has been used primarily in the manufacture of decorative objects. Copper is obtained by smelting suitable ores and is most commonly used in the form of alloys; that is, other pure metals are added to produce new metals with different properties.

This datasheet includes details on ore sources and mines, smelting and copper alloy types.

Metals are crystalline materials that are good conductors of both electricity and heat; they are usually malleable, ductile and shiny. They are commonly divided into ferrous and non-ferrous metals; the former comprises iron and its alloys, and the latter includes all other metals. Non-ferrous metals are often divided into precious metals (gold, silver and their alloys) and base metals (all other metals). The range of properties displayed by metals has allowed their use in many applications, from currency and jewellery through tools and weapons to structural metal for buildings.

Even after investigation and publication, metallurgical samples offer a valuable resource for future researchers. Experience has shown that such material is too frequently lost. This datasheet provides guidance to ensure that samples are securely housed.

X-radiography is an imaging technique that has numerous applications in archaeology and archaeometallurgy. The primary uses are to examine
form, structure and condition of artefacts in order to provide identifications and descriptions. This datasheet concentrates on how X-radiography can contribute to the archaeometallurgical evidence, from metal preparation to waste products and artefacts.

The use of an instrument to determine the presence of particular elements in a material/sample. The range of elements which can be detected as well the accuracy, precision and sensitivity (limit of detection) vary widely between different instruments (see below).

This datasheet introduces the techniques used, and the concepts of precision, accuracy and sensitivity.

Metals and related materials provide a great deal of information on the ways in which they were manufactured and used. Some of this information can be gained from a simple visual examination of the objects. Supplementary information can be gained through a consideration of the chemical composition of the material (e.g. metal alloy type, impurities, etc) and some from the examination of the structure of the materials at a microscopic level.