A not so isolated fringe: Dutch later prehistoric (c. 2200 BCE-AD 0) bronze alloy networks from compositional analyses on metals and corrosion layers

Using a corpus of over 370 compositional analyses Dutch Bronze Age and Iron (c. 2000 BCE AD 0) copper alloy artefacts, long-term patterns in the types alloys used for specific bronze objects are identified. As Low Countries devoid ores alloying elements, combination typo(chrono)logical analysis is to identify through which European contact networks (such as Atlantic, Central or Nordic exchange networks) these were obtained. We employ methodology that (following Bray et al., 2015) defines groups by presence As, Sb, Ag Ni 0.1 %wt, but expanded this classification include Pb track high-impurity (>1%wt) alloys. Due interfering soil-derived iron hydroxides, preferent dissolution from objects’ surface, determination tin most cases overestimated when using p-XRF, so Sn was not systematically reviewed. Objects assigned calendar age years facilitate chronological sorting. classification, we could show how different (using base ores) periods, combinations. Moreover, particular functional objects. Also, diachronic differences influx new (or less frequently mixed) trends substitution main element Early well rise leaded at close Age. Combining information on composition with their typological traits, allowed us reconstruct scales geographic scopes throughout later prehistory