Lietuvos istorijos institutas

The article presents the results of a metallographic, mechanical properties, and elemental analysis of iron artefacts from Marvelë cemetery. Finds from 3rd–5th-century inhumations excavated in 2006: axes (3 examples), spearheads (4), knifes (2), and a buckle as well as metallurgical slag, clinkers, and iron droplets found in the vicinity were used for the analysis. Ordinary methodology was used for the analysis, thus the results are comparable with those from other sites. The metallographic analysis determined that a varying hardness was achieved in manufacturing the different parts of the artefacts. The axes were forged from two separate pieces of iron, the spearheads and knifes from one. The chemical composition of the artefacts is similar to that of artefacts from other Lithuanian archaeological sites; nevertheless some differences exist, which presupposes the idea of the non-local origin of some artefacts.