Provenancing Viking Age Silver
Stephen W. Merkel
This chapter investigates the changing sources of silver during tenth century at Hedeby, an important Viking Age trading centre and mint situated between economies Baltic North Seas. It first characterizes regional chronological differences in silver, terms both elemental composition lead isotopes. A dual archaeometric approach to analyses items is then advanced. Observed trace elements isotope ratios Anglo-Saxon, Carolingian, Islamic coin are exploited determine likely origin bullion circulating Hedeby. The so-called Malmer KG7 coinage, together with a significant hack-silver assemblage, appears be related eastern origin, which reached southern Scandinavia region prior large-scale influx Samanid early-to-mid century. Such results provide new insight into chronology movement Age.
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