Issue 139 (2018)

S. Nagorny, PhD in Physics, Researcher

Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory, Assergi, Italy

S. Nisi, MScEng in Chemistry, Main technologist in Chemistry,

Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory, Assergi, Italy

S. Voronov, Head

Crimean Republican Institution «Black Sea Center of Underwater Research», Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine

T. Dovbush, PhD in Chemistry, Researcher

M.P. Semenenko Institute of geochemistry, mineralogy and ore formation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

V. Skrypnyk, PhD in Chemistry, Researcher

Institute of Environmental Geochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2018.139.10

ANTIQUE ANCHOR STOCKS: UNKNOWN ASPECTS

An attempt to identify artifacts using only analytical research methods is described. The regions of origin and production period of the lead anchor stock are determined, by investigating both the material of the stock and various inclusions into the stock’s material. Based on results of a complex of physical investigations, the stock is found to be made of high purity lead (99.95%) from the Lavrion mine (Greece). Its production relates to the period of AD 1^st century – the beginning of AD 2^nd century. It is assumed that the presence of a large amount of inclusions indicates the need for significant material savings for the production of the stock during the period of the depletion of lead deposits. The nail, founded inside the stock body, believed to be put into the casting mold, as a guard.

Keywords: ancient anchor, lead stocks, Radiocarbon dating, physical and chemical research method.