Chemical composition of Moravian La Tène anklets and their fillings

Abstract

This study examines the chemical composition of La Tène anklets and their f illings from Moravia, offering insights into technological advancements and crafting practices during the Late Iron Age. These anklets, integral to La Tène period attire and often worn in pairs, were categorised into eleven typological groups based on their design, such as wire anklets, rod- like anklets, caterpillar anklets, and anklets with hollow hemispheres. Up to seventy- one examples were analysed using X- ray fluorescence (XRF) and gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC- MS). The research identified a sudden increase in lead content within the copper alloys used for anklet production, reflecting broader Central European metallurgical trends during the LT B2/C1 periods. This shift may have been influenced by factors such as enhanced workability, aesthetic considerations, or production efficiency, but its exact purpose remains uncertain. The study also investigates the origins and role of fillings found in hollow anklets, which included both dirt- like substances and textile remnants. Chemical analysis detected traces of pine resin; its presence could be linked to its use as an adhesive for textile stuffing (for structural support or comfort) or as a component in the lost- wax casting process of these artefacts.

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