Prehistoric rock crystal artefacts from Lower Silesia (Poland)

Abstract

Abstract The analysis of inclusions utilising optical methods and micro‐Raman spectroscopy was used to address a question of provenance of prehistoric rock‐crystal artefacts excavated in Lower Silesia (SW Poland). The nature and spectroscopic features of inclusions in rock crystal from three Lower Silesian deposits were established and compared with the ones identified in the rock‐crystal artefacts. A characteristic inclusion assemblage in rock crystal from the Jegłowa–Krzywina deposit consists of anatase, kaolinite, and chlorite. Quartz from granitic pegmatites of the Jelenia Góra Valley displays the presence of dusty hematite coating. Frequent inclusions of goethite are typical of rock crystal from cavities in volcanic rocks near Kłodzko. The study established that raw material used to manufacture 16 of the artefacts investigated comes from the Jegłowa–Krzywina quartz deposit. One tool was made of the material obtained from granitic pegmatites that occur near Karpniki (Jelenia Góra Valley). Two other artefacts contain inclusions not found in crystals from any of the investigated Lower Silesian deposits. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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