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Hypereutectoid steel in early medieval sword production in Europe
Subtitle:Fasciculi Archaeologiae Historicae. Fasc. 27 (2014)
Creator: Publisher:Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of Polish Academy of Sciences ; Polish Academy of Sciences. Łódź Branch
Place of publishing: Date issued/created: Description: Type of object: Subject and Keywords:swords ; hypereutectoid steel ; Early Middle Ages
Abstract:Hypereutectoid steel is viewed as a material of exceeding quality for the manufacture of swords, providing keen edges and strong bodies to their blades. A significant group of weapons, where such material was used, comprises some swords from the “Ulfberht” family. It is suggested that these specimens were made using crucible steel, a high-carbon material produced in the territories of Central Asia and India. The article presents in short other examples of European swords, where hypereutectoid steel was identified, and discusses different methods for its production known at the time, possibilities in discerning between them, problems with working with such a material, as well as the resulting limitations and shortcomings. The issues are considered from the archaeometallurgical point of view, with archaeological data, material analyzes and experimental studies serving as the background
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Fasciculi Archaeologiae Historicae
Volume: Start page: End page: Resource type: Detailed Resource Type: Format: Resource Identifier: Source:IAiE PAN, call no. P III 368 ; IAiE PAN, call no. P III 348 ; IAiE PAN, call no. P III 349 ; click here to follow the link
Language: Language of abstract: Rights: Terms of use:Copyright-protected material. May be used within the limits of statutory user freedoms
Digitizing institution:Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Original in:Library of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
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