Neues von Berliner Goldhut: Materialanalysen mit Synchrotronstrahlung TT - New information on the Late Bronze Age gold hat in Berlin: material analysis by synchrotron radiation

Abstract

In November 2006 the material of the Berlin "gold hat" was analyzed at the hard x-ray beamline of the Federal Institute of Material Research and Testing (BAM) at the Berlin electron storage ring (BESSY). Measurements were taken in order to determine the composition of the gold and to identify the origin of discolorations. The contents of the elements gold, silver, copper, and tin were quantified. Results showed significant differences in the material composition of decorated zones with and without patina. These may possibly have been caused by a recent cleaning before acquisition of the gold hat for the Museum of Pre- and Early History in Berlin, but a prehistoric artificial enrichment with copper and tin--to produce a lustrous golden surface--can't be excluded. Two variants of patina were identified: red stains containing iron and manganese and black ones with additional copper.