On the Sources of Metals and Alloys for Making Silver Jewelry in Taurica in Roman Times

• Published in: Nanotechnologies in Russia Vol. 16; no. 5; pp. 582 - 590
• Main Authors: Antipenko, A V, Smekalova, T N, Yu, Loboda A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01-09-2021
• Subjects: Alloys; Coins; Historical metallurgy; Jewelry; Raw materials; Roman civilization; Silver; Bosporus Strait; Chersonesus
• ISSN: 1995-0780; 1995-0799
• DOI: 10.1134/S2635167621050037

Abstract—The article is concerned with determining the sources of silver alloy of multiple metal objects found at the Late Antique burial ground Sovkhoz no. 10 in the environs of Sevastopol. A comparative analysis is performed of composition of the alloy of jewelry on one side and Bosporan staters and Roman silver coins of the 2nd–3rd centuries CE from hoards and individual finds, originating from the territory of Bosporus and Chersonese on the other. The conclusion is drawn about the use of Roman silver coins by the local population of southwest Taurica as raw materials for crafting jewelry beginning the second half of the 2nd century.