Archaeometry (radiometric dating, metallography) for two early Iron-Age axes from Northern Europe and Central Asia

Matthias Huels, А.В. Паничкин, Arman Z. Beisenov, Krzystof Matus, Andrzej Z. Rakowski, Christian Hamann

2026

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DOI 10.1017/rdc.2026.10226

Data confidence 85 high

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Abstract

Abstract This study discusses the archaeometry (radiometric dating and metallography) of two Iron-Age axes, one from Kazakhstan (Kyzylzhartas Axe-Adze) and one from Northern Germany (Högersdorf Axe). To understand their age and production, 14 C dating of metallic bound carbon and metallographic analysiswere performed. The Kyzylzhartas Axe-Adze dates to 357–166 BCE and shows an advanced production technique with a careful selection of carburized and non-carburized iron. The Högersdorf Axe dates to 480–211 BCE and is made of poorly carburized, phosphoric-rich ferritic iron. The study compares the material composition and smelting efficiency of both axes, revealing differences in iron ore sources and smelting processes between the two regions. The Kyzylzhartas Axe-Adze indicates a more efficient smelting process compared to the Högersdorf Axe, which may have utilized local resources.