ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Complex Metallurgy of the Bronze Age-Iron Age Transition - Manufacturing methods of Iron Swords from Northwestern Iran

Abstract: In consequence of a recent trafficking operation stopped by the Border Force in the UK a large number of artefacts from Iran became available for study, the majority of which can be dated stylistically to Iron Age I and II (ca. 1250-800 BC). Before they are repatriated, a PhD research will be conducted at Cranfield University, jointly funded by ISIS. It will examine the Bronze Age to Iron Age transition in Iran, focusing on complex metallurgical techniques. It is proposed that a few iron swords, belonging to a group of weapons known as mask swords, be analysed with neutron diffraction to establish their de facto composition by measuring their carbon content and to investigate the working conditions of the metal by distinguishing phases such as cementite and ferrite. This analysis will provide understanding of the knowledge and techniques of ancient Iranian smiths in the Iron Age.

Principal Investigator: Dr Nathaniel Erb-Satullo
Local Contact: Dr Antonella Scherillo
Experimenter: Miss Aleksandra Rodzinka
Experimenter: Dr Anna Fedrigo

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2220608

ISIS Experiment Number: RB2220608

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Nathaniel Erb-Satullo et al; (2023): Complex Metallurgy of the Bronze Age-Iron Age Transition - Manufacturing methods of Iron Swords from Northwestern Iran, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2220608

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.