The Hoard from Eberswalde. Archaeology, production technology, analysis

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Matthias Wemhoff
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology ; Analytical Chemistry
• Term: from 2014 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 272122421

In the year 1913 a hoard of prehistoric gold objects was discovered in Eberswalde, Brandenburg, in a ceramics vessel, which until today is the largest hoard of gold objects in central Europe. Packed up in 1939 in the Museum for Prehistory and Early History Berlin the hoard was transported to Moscow after the end of World War II. Thanks to a cooperation agreement between the Museum in Berlin and the Pushkin Museum, Moscow, it is now possible to make this key discovery of the Late Bronze Age available for scientific research. The main objective of this research program is to analyze the hoard with regard to its archaeological context, production technology and metal composition. The hoard consists of vessels, rings, wire spiral rings, bun ingots and a bar. The investigation of the production technology of the objects from Eberswalde will be undertaken descriptively with photo documentation of surface details and the results will be compared with the description by Carl Schuchardt. Samples for chemical analyses will be taken with laser ablation and abrasion. The archaeological context of the objects will be outlined and weights and volumes of the objects be recorded. By taking into account the results of production technology and composition of the gold the archaeological interpretation will address the questions of workshops and regional and transregional contacts. Further topics are the comparison of the trace element patterns of the hoard and its chronological position. The present proposal will form the basis for future research of other Bronze Age hoards from Brandenburg that are kept in Museums in Russia and Germany.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Co-Investigators: Hermann Born; Dr. Manfred Nawroth; Professor Dr. Ernst Pernicka
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Detlef Günther