Analysis of a gilded silver sheeted bridle from Hungary – preliminary results

Abstract

In this paper, I introduce the preliminary results of the archaeometrical investigation of fourth to fifth century AD harnesses of the Vor- und Frühgeschichte Museum in Berlin. The assemblage was originated from Hungary and included a pair of axe-shaped bronze/copper pendant from the bridle, covered with pressed, gilded silver plaque, as well as one piece of spoke-shaped horse bit with the similar type of ornamentation. This material was the subject of our investigation, focused on the way of the ornamentation, which can bring us closer to the problem of approximate determination of the analogies, provenance and the cultural effects that might have had an influence on the objects. To find out, we carried out a non-destructive element analysis with a Bruker’s XRF Tracer. According to the first results, some new information is available and a few earlier opinions can be refined.

Keywords

• Migration period archaeology
• x-ray fluorescence analysis
• horse harness
• fire gilding
• pressed sheet technique
• Carpathian Basin