This study presents results from the analytical investigation of the polymetallic, non-ferrous metallurgical cycle at early Viking Age Ribe, Denmark, in the 8th and 9th centuries CE. We combine extensive surface analyses of crucibles and moulds (handheld XRF) with targeted micro-destructive examination (micro XRF, electron microprobe spectroscopy—EPMA) of crucibles, moulds, ingots, blanks, and finished objects from the different stages of the secondary metallurgical production. Results show the working of a range of copper alloys with (leaded) brass as the most common, alongside small-scale working of silver and gold. Analytical evidence suggests a move towards technological standardisation at Ribe workshops from the pre-Viking period to the early Viking Age as reflected in the tighter compositional groupings for the crucible fabrics, the alloy choices for specific artefact types, e.g. keys and brooches, and an overall move towards high Zn brass from the 8th century to the first half of the 9th century CE. Finally, we discuss the limitations and potentials of the surface and micro-destructive analytical methods used and the insights gained from each data set and propose a direction for future research.

这项研究提出了对公元8至9世纪丹麦维京时代早期Ribe时代的多金属，有色金属冶金循环进行分析研究的结果。我们将坩埚和模具（手持式XRF）的广泛表面分析与二次冶金生产不同阶段的坩埚，模具，铸锭，毛坯和成品的目标微破坏性检查（微型XRF，电子微探针光谱学-EPMA）相结合。结果表明，除了铜和银的小规模加工外，一系列铜合金（含铅的黄铜）的加工最为普遍。分析证据表明，从维京时代之前到维京时代早期，里伯工作室正在朝着技术标准化的方向迈进，这一点反映在坩埚织物的组成分组越来越紧密，从8世纪到公元9世纪上半叶，针对特定文物类型（例如钥匙和胸针）的合金选择以及向高锌黄铜的总体转移。最后，我们讨论了所使用的表面和微破坏性分析方法的局限性和潜力，以及从每个数据集获得的见解，并提出了未来研究的方向。