Illuminating non-ferrous remains in the monasteries: a scientific study.

This talk looks at the acquisition, production and use of copper-alloy metals in medieval monasteries, from weighing scales to taps, book fittings, pins and more.

Limited viable copper ore was mined in late-medieval England. The majority of copper-alloy is known to have been imported from the continent as complete portable objects, rather than as raw material. However there is an abundance of copper-alloy working evidence found on many monastic sites, alongside artefacts.

With the support of both English Heritage and Historic England, this research afforded a rare opportunity to undertake analysis, using state-of-the-art technology, on a wide range of copper-alloy evidence, including a collection of unusual and infrequently encountered monastic artefacts. The talk will outline the key findings of these analyses.

Vanessa Castagnino is a York-based archaeomaterials specialist who focuses on the remains of high-temperature industries of the past, primarily metals, glass and vitrified ceramics from the Roman period onwards.