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Science Notes: Revisiting Viking Age art using microwear analysis | The Past

Researchers re-examine ten Viking Age artefacts from the Swedish History Museum using microwear analysis and RTI.
The study found variability in manufacture and use among pendants, challenging the idea of a single function for the artefact type.
Eight pendants were silver and two were bronze, with diverse finishing after casting.
Polishing differences between front and back surfaces suggest varied visibility or storage contexts.
Wear patterns imply some pendants were not worn as necklaces but possibly stored or wrapped.
Some artefacts show signs of handling and possible storage in pouches rather than display.
Overall, results show same type objects can have varied life histories and use contexts.
The study highlights microwear and RTI as tools to reassess artefacts lacking contextual evidence.
Full results were published in Antiquity, with the project DOI provided.
Researchers questioned the life histories of artefacts with limited contextual evidence.

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