Origins of medieval lead artefacts are hard to establish due to re-smelting and mixing. One can obtain conclusive evidence from ingots that served for bulk trade and originated directly from the mines. This paper aims to analyse the thirteenth century lead ingot from Wrocław (Poland). To establish its origins we analysed its structure and chemical composition. We used archaeometric methods: light and electron microscopic observations, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and Pb isotopic analysis. We compared our measurements with measurements of analogical ingot found on Kraków Market Square and a database of lead ores from Europe and the Middle East. The research indicated that both ingots originated from -Kraków and Silesia Upland Pb–Zn ore deposits (Poland), intensively mined from the twelfth century. The results complement the view of trade routes established based on written records and add valuable data for future comparative studies.

This paper presents a non-destructive analytical study of selected archaeological artefacts from the Old Town in Wrocław, SW Poland, by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The analysed specimens included dress accessories that decorated both women’s and men’s clothes in the Middle Ages. Several various metallic artefacts were selected for detailed studies: jewellery (e.g. finger rings) to more utilitarian utensil (functional) items (e.g. knives). All of them were made of tin-lead alloys or were tinned. This research was focused on determining the chemical composition of the artefacts, the identification of similarities and differences between alloys as well as technological aspects of the production. The obtained results suggest that there are many objects with the same chemical composition. It helps to distinguish groups of artefacts (e.g. rings made with the same alloys) or find the parts of one object. The next interesting result is the possibility of determining the presence of tin-plating that was in varied states of preservation (especially for badly damaged artefacts).

Environmental conditions present in mines generally are very favourable to decay; high temperature, high humidity, variable oxygen content, numerous metal-wood connections and the presence of a high content of inorganic compounds typical of mines have a significant impact on the biotic and abiotic degradation factors. The state of conservation of wooden artefacts from the Złoty Stok (Poland) gold mine was investigated using a multi-analytical approach. The aim was to select the conservation treatments that would stop decay and improve the conditions and dimensional stability of the wood. FT-IR and Py-GC/MS were used to assess the state of preservation of lignocellulosic material. ED-XRF and SEM-EDS were used to determine—and XRD to identify crystalline phases—salts and minerals in the wood structure or efflorescence on the surface. Highly degraded lignocellulosic material that had undergone depolymerisation and oxidation was found to be severely contaminated by iron-based mineral substances, mainly pyrite, and in some cases greigite and magnetite. The presence of inorganic salts made it difficult to choose the best consolidating material to reduce the level of decay and improve the dimensional stability of the wood.

A kontush sash belonged to costly accessories of ceremonial clothes of Polish nobility. It is a belt made of leather, metal or soft textile, called a sash from the 18th century. In the 2nd half of the 17th century, there was a change in manufacturing technique and ornamentation compositions, and sashes adorned with metal threads appeared. Persian and Turkish belts were the most popular. They have been excavated as burial equipment at archaeological sites. Analyzing these objects is a unique research experience that complements our knowledge of girdle-making in the eighteenth century. The non-invasive archaeometric studies are a significant part of this research. The microscopic observations, X-ray fluorescence and SEM-EDS investigations were made of the metal threads from the textile sashes found in the crypts of Szczuczyn church (North-Eastern Poland).

In 2017, a man fishing in the Oder River accidentally discovered an antler-base axe in the village of Domaszków, Lower Silesian Voivodeship. In-depth study of the axe included analysis of the traces on its surface, radiocarbon dating and paleogenetic analysis, and concluded with the tool’s conservation. Most of the traces casting light on the techniques used in its crafting had been eroded by intensive water action. The axe was made from the unshed red deer antler. Among the preserved marks we note pointed depressions made during the separation of the antler beam, traces where the brow and bay tines were cut off, and concentric rings from the drilling of the perforation. A small scar on the axe’s blade was identified as resulting from the tool’s use. Radiocarbon dating placed the origins of the axe in Boreal period. Such tools are known from western Poland and the north-western European Mesolithic as well as from the Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age.