The HMS Archaeometallurgy Datasheets are aimed at archaeologists at all levels from project managers and curators to fieldworkers. These datasheets are intended to provide brief introductions to particular processes or topics, with the emphasis on the types of structural evidence, artefacts and residues likely to be encountered on excavations, with a short bibliography of useful publications.
The datasheets are grouped into three areas:
The datasheets were originally devised and produced in the 1990s; since the mid-2000s the Archaeology Committee has been in the process of updating and enlarging the series. Nearly thirty datasheets are planned and they will be uploaded as and when they become available. The old series is still available but individual datasheets will eventually be replaced. You can download them at the bottom of this page.
HMS Datasheet 101 | The archaeology of metalworking sites: introduction to the field evidence |
HMS Datasheet 102 | Metalworking evidence and archaeological project management |
HMS Datasheet 103 | Geophysical techniques for metalworking sites |
HMS Datasheet 104 | Introduction to post-excavation and lab techniques for metalworking sites |
HMS Datasheet 105 | Textures, microstructures and metallography |
HMS Datasheet 106 | Chemical analysis of metalwork and metalworking debris |
HMS Datasheet 107 | X-radiography |
HMS Datasheet 108 | Care, curation and conservation of metallurgical samples |
HMS Datasheet 201 | Metals and their properties |
HMS Datasheet 202 | Copper: smelting and production of alloys |
HMS Datasheet 203 | Tin: smelting and production of alloys |
HMS Datasheet 204 | Other metals: smelting and production of alloys |
HMS Datasheet 301 | Iron: bloomery smelting and associated processes |
HMS Datasheet 302 | Steelmaking |
HMS Datasheet 303 | Iron: hand blacksmithing |
HMS Datasheet 304 | Foundries |
HMS Datasheet 305 | Supply, sourcing and production of fuels for metallurgical processes |
HMS Datasheet 1 | Crucibles and moulds |
HMS Datasheet 2 | Precious metal refining |
HMS Datasheet 3 | Iron working processes |
HMS Datasheet 4 | Geophysical techniques applied to early metalworking sites |
HMS Datasheet 5 | Bloomery iron smelting, slags and other residues |
HMS Datasheet 6 | Bloom refining and smithing, slags and other residues |
HMS Datasheet 8 | Currency Bars and other forms of trade iron |
HMS Datasheet 9 | Excavation and sampling |
HMS Datasheet 10 | Hammerscale |
HMS Datasheet 11 | Metallographic examination |
HMS Datasheet 12 | Chemical analysis of metalwork and metalworking debris |
HMS Datasheet 14 | X-radiography and archaeometallurgy |
HMS Datasheet 15 | The care and curation of metallurgical samples and other residues |
HMS Datasheet 16 | Metalworking evidence and the management of archaeological sites |