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Fig. 2. Selected microphotos: a Aslaksholl { Langanesi, tin; b Hofstadir, gold; ¢ Ketilsstadir 12441 silver; d Ketilsstadir 12441, lead; e Ljotsstadir, iron; f Ljotsstadir, brass

Figure 2 Selected microphotos: a Aslaksholl { Langanesi, tin; b Hofstadir, gold; ¢ Ketilsstadir 12441 silver; d Ketilsstadir 12441, lead; e Ljotsstadir, iron; f Ljotsstadir, brass

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Fig. 1 Analysed Viking Age touchstones from Iceland. The numbers correspond with Table 2. Courtesy of the National Museum of Iceland
Fig. 1 Analysed Viking Age touchstones from Iceland. The numbers correspond with Table 2. Courtesy of the National Museum of Iceland
Fig. 3 Selected microphotos: a Reykjasel, lead; b Reykjasel, alloy of lead and copper; ¢ Silastadir, gold with a content copper and nickel; d Stori-Klofi 2, lead
Fig. 3 Selected microphotos: a Reykjasel, lead; b Reykjasel, alloy of lead and copper; ¢ Silastadir, gold with a content copper and nickel; d Stori-Klofi 2, lead
Table 1 Furnishings of Icelandic Viking Age burials from which touchstones have been analysed (after Fridriksson 2000, p. 552-589 Knives, shears, spindle whorls, combs, iron and wood fragments and other common finds are not included in the table. With two exceptions (see the table), just one touchstone comes from a grave. Only one touchstone from Galtalaekur could be observed in the SEM
Table 1 Furnishings of Icelandic Viking Age burials from which touchstones have been analysed (after Fridriksson 2000, p. 552-589 Knives, shears, spindle whorls, combs, iron and wood fragments and other common finds are not included in the table. With two exceptions (see the table), just one touchstone comes from a grave. Only one touchstone from Galtalaekur could be observed in the SEM
symbolic, or even ritual, behaviour. However, this is not the case with the tools under discussion. For archaeologists, a necessary condition is to go beyond the limitations of their period specialism (e.g. on the Viking Age, in fact a short period in the history of just one part of Europe). This is of even greater importance when addressing objects used in han- dling precious metal as far back as the Chalcolithic. Eloquent testimony of the symbolic role of these tools comes from three gold (non-functional) balances (Fig. 5) from one of the richest graves at Mycenae (Grave-Circle A, shaft grave III; Schliemann 1877, figs. 301, 302; Karo 1930, pls. 34, p. 81— 82). From Iron Age prestige grave 59A at Lefkandi, Skoubris (Greece), there are two lead balance pans (see Pare 1999, p. 474; for touchstone candidates from this site, see Jezek 2017, p. 16, 26). We agree with previous scholars (e.g. Pare 1999, p. 475, with refs.) that these balances were used prior to their deposition in the grave as a symbol of power or as cult equip- ment (cf. the magnificent touchstone from a votive context in a temple in Susa, Iran: Jezek 2017, p. 39). One of the many touchstone candidates from the royal cemetery in Ur, Iraq (the ‘King’s Grave’ PG 789, c. 2550-2440 BC), is made from lapis lazuli and equipped with a gold ring (Jezek 2017, p. 37,
symbolic, or even ritual, behaviour. However, this is not the case with the tools under discussion. For archaeologists, a necessary condition is to go beyond the limitations of their period specialism (e.g. on the Viking Age, in fact a short period in the history of just one part of Europe). This is of even greater importance when addressing objects used in han- dling precious metal as far back as the Chalcolithic. Eloquent testimony of the symbolic role of these tools comes from three gold (non-functional) balances (Fig. 5) from one of the richest graves at Mycenae (Grave-Circle A, shaft grave III; Schliemann 1877, figs. 301, 302; Karo 1930, pls. 34, p. 81— 82). From Iron Age prestige grave 59A at Lefkandi, Skoubris (Greece), there are two lead balance pans (see Pare 1999, p. 474; for touchstone candidates from this site, see Jezek 2017, p. 16, 26). We agree with previous scholars (e.g. Pare 1999, p. 475, with refs.) that these balances were used prior to their deposition in the grave as a symbol of power or as cult equip- ment (cf. the magnificent touchstone from a votive context in a temple in Susa, Iran: Jezek 2017, p. 39). One of the many touchstone candidates from the royal cemetery in Ur, Iraq (the ‘King’s Grave’ PG 789, c. 2550-2440 BC), is made from lapis lazuli and equipped with a gold ring (Jezek 2017, p. 37,
towards a higher proportion of the dark grey schist type during the initial settlement period in Iceland, which is before the onset of the mass export of light grey Eidsborg schist, begin- ning around or after AD 1000. Due to the fact that there is no readily available schist or other usable raw material for touch- stones in Iceland, this radical change in the assemblage is linked to a change in the trading patterns and settlement rate (Hansen 2009, p. 94; Hansen 2011, p. 74). For the tenth cen- tury, it is expected that new settlers brought with them all necessary basic commodities. From the eleventh century, the import of new basic commodities was mainly in the hands of tradesmen (the town of Skien in Norway, in particular, pro- vided easy access to the Eidsborg schist). Finally, there is one specimen of banded silt (Aslaksholl i Langanesi). It is the only one of its type from Iceland; only c. 100 examples of this type have been found within the Viking world (see Johansen et al. 2003, p. 156; Resi and Askvik 2008, p. 55). Testifying to the value of the banded silt artefact is the fact that, after being damaged, it was repaired for further use: the original hole broke and a new one was drilled. Nevertheless, this touch- stone still ended up in a grave—with no other extraordinary furnishing.
towards a higher proportion of the dark grey schist type during the initial settlement period in Iceland, which is before the onset of the mass export of light grey Eidsborg schist, begin- ning around or after AD 1000. Due to the fact that there is no readily available schist or other usable raw material for touch- stones in Iceland, this radical change in the assemblage is linked to a change in the trading patterns and settlement rate (Hansen 2009, p. 94; Hansen 2011, p. 74). For the tenth cen- tury, it is expected that new settlers brought with them all necessary basic commodities. From the eleventh century, the import of new basic commodities was mainly in the hands of tradesmen (the town of Skien in Norway, in particular, pro- vided easy access to the Eidsborg schist). Finally, there is one specimen of banded silt (Aslaksholl i Langanesi). It is the only one of its type from Iceland; only c. 100 examples of this type have been found within the Viking world (see Johansen et al. 2003, p. 156; Resi and Askvik 2008, p. 55). Testifying to the value of the banded silt artefact is the fact that, after being damaged, it was repaired for further use: the original hole broke and a new one was drilled. Nevertheless, this touch- stone still ended up in a grave—with no other extraordinary furnishing.
With the exception of one banded silt (Aslaksholl i L.), all touchstones are made of schist. Reg. Nos. after the National Museum of Iceland. The first column corresponds with the numbers in Fig. 1
With the exception of one banded silt (Aslaksholl i L.), all touchstones are made of schist. Reg. Nos. after the National Museum of Iceland. The first column corresponds with the numbers in Fig. 1
Each analysis number (An. No.) for individual objects belongs to a separate streak. The semi-quantitative data given in weight percent (wt%) are calculated at 100%. The geochemical background, i.e. elements deriving from the raw material of the stone, is excluded. Both concentrations of ‘pure’ zinc are only 10 and 40 um in size
Each analysis number (An. No.) for individual objects belongs to a separate streak. The semi-quantitative data given in weight percent (wt%) are calculated at 100%. The geochemical background, i.e. elements deriving from the raw material of the stone, is excluded. Both concentrations of ‘pure’ zinc are only 10 and 40 um in size
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