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led by Ing. Dr. Mathias Mehofer, email: mathias.mehofer@univie.ac.at

The materials science laboratory of VIAS (University Vienna) was established in 1998 to conduct in-depth archaeometallurgical studies on prehistoric and historic metallurgy. In an interdisciplinary approach, various methods like surface analyses, metallography, 3D-X ray tomography, geochemistry and isotope research are combined to access cultural-historical questions. Initially set up as a metallographic laboratory, it was continuously expanded over the years. For example, a large-chamber scanning electron microscope and a handheld XRF device were acquired to broaden the analytical scope.

The Materials Science laboratory is well equipped for the analysis of metals and other remains from the metal production processes. Additionally, the laboratory holds an extensive reference collection of materials connected to ancient metallurgy (approx. 400 samples). This includes representative samples of metal artifacts, metallurgical by-products such as slags and ores, as well as technical ceramics, including crucibles, tuyères, and furnace linings.

Instrumentation and Equipment
-SEM-EDS: Zeiss EVO 60 XVP, enviromental SEM with low preasure mode (specimen chamber diameter 400 mm, height 240 mm); analytical unit: detector: Ultim MAX 170, AZtec, Oxford instruments, Sputter unit (carbon)
– pXRF: Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer, Bruker Tracer 5g

– Optical microscope: Olympus BX 51, reflected light microscope, Olympus software
– Sample preparation: Struers Tegramin 30: automatic grinding – polishing machine
Imptech 10 DVT Grinder Polisher: automatic grinding – polishing machine
– Hardness testing: Vickers micro hardness testing device
– Mounting equipment for resin block samples
– Etchants for copper-based, iron and silver samples (Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃), Ammonium Persulfate ((NH₄)₂S₂O₈), Nital, Oberhoffer´s reagent, dilute nitric acid etc.)
– Experimental Archaeometallurgy equipment (pyrometer, sensors)
– Dremel tools for sample extraction
– Reference books for metallography, material science and archaeometallurgy

Certified reference materials (CRM, selection)
Numerous CRMs are availabe, this comprises certified standards comparable to prehistoric and medieval alloys (e.g tin-bronze, quaternary Cu-Sn-Pb-Zn alloys, brass) as well as slags: CCU-1e, BAM-M376a, BAM-M397, BAM-374 (ERM-EB374), BAM-375 (ERM-EB375), BAM-377 (ERM-EB377), BCR-691, MBH-31X 7835.5 A-C (batch A), MBH-31X CZ114 A-C, MBH-31X 7835.8 A3, MBH-31X TB 4 A4, MBH-32X Sn7 A, MBH-32X LB 17 A1, MBH-36X CuAs 3, MBH-36X CuAs 4, MBH-36X SP2 A-C (batch A), MBH-37X 218 B-C (CHARM-set)

Research Projects (selection)

• Hallmetals-Archaeometallurgical analyses on metals from the famous Iron Age cemetery of Hallstatt, Austria
• Materials science examinations of the medieval „Agnes“ candelabrum in the Klosterneuburg monastery, A
• Archaeometallurgical and mining archaeological studies on Bronze Age metallurgy in the Western Balkans (FWF project P 32095)
• Metal exchange networks and hoard biographies in Late Bronze Age Romania
• Archaeometallurgical analysis on the Holy Lance in the Treasury of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
• Excavations at the medieval fortification of Neudegg, Lower Austria
• The early Hungarian warrior grave from Gnadendorf, Lower Austria
• Early medieval blacksmith’s graves in Central Europe

In case further research questions arise—such as provenance analyses of copper or gold using mass spectrometry—we collaborate with various research institutions, such as the CEZA Mannheim, the German Mining Museum in Bochum, or the Geochemistry Lab of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.