A Hoard of Cu‐Alloy Viking Age Penannular Brooches From a Wetland Site in Lithuania—Explored With Portable X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

ABSTRACT One of the largest assemblages of metal artefacts found in Lithuania was discovered in a small river valley near Šliktinė, dating between the 9th and 12th centuries ad . This ritually deposited hoard includes both Cu‐alloy costume accessories and many iron weapons. We present a pXRF exploration of 35 Cu‐alloy penannular brooches from this hoard. It was first deployed non‐invasively on the outer surfaces; then a selected few were mechanically cleaned to measure the cores. Differences between the outer and core compositions were explored. It provides new insights for Cu‐alloy objects deposited in wetland environments, saying something more about their production and circulation.