Fresh brass in the delta: evidence of alloy production in the Merovingian period from Oegstgeest on the Rhine (The Netherlands)

Abstract

This paper examines the production and utilisation of copper-based alloys in the Merovingian settlement of Oegstgeest (The Netherlands). Excavations revealed evidence of metallurgical activity, including crucibles, furnace walls, and casting and hammering scraps. Spatial distribution patterns suggest multiple workshops within the settlement, linked to exchange activities along the Rhine. The analysis of metallurgical wastes indicates the use of brass primarily for vessel production, alongside bronze for casting. Petrographic study on crucibles reveals use of local materials to meet metallurgical needs. Distinct crucible types were identified: small, single-use lidded vessels for melting alloys and larger open vessels used for brass cementation, marking the first documented production of fresh brass in the Merovingian period. This hypothesis is challenging the prevailing idea that Merovingian workshops relied solely on recycling. The findings also underscore the settlement’s integration into broader transregional exchange networks, evidenced by the importation of zinc ore and shared metallurgical practices across the North Sea region.