Studies of non-ferrous metallurgy in the Viking Age, predominantly from casting activities, have chiefly looked at specialised production contexts, while less specialised production has rarely been discussed in any detail. As a consequence, we know very little about the organisation and context of production outside larger pre-urban/trading sites. The purpose of this article is to discuss the evidence of non-ferrous craft production at a range of sites within the region the Mälaren valley. It highlights that non-ferrous metallurgy was a widespread phenomenon during the Viking Age, but shows clear differences in the extent and context of the production.
Prehistoric crucibles and other metalworking ceramics are often described as highly specialised tools made from refractory materials, but little is known about regional trajectories and individual material developments. Hence, further analyses of materials from less studied regions are needed. The current study investigates the technological development of crucibles from late prehistoric Scotland and its relation to technological choices and specialisation. The examination, using ceramic petrography and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, focuses on the selection of clays and additives for the manufacture of crucibles in contrast to moulds and pottery. It is demonstrated that the production of crucibles in the late prehistoric period predominantly used local resources. Late Bronze Age crucibles have a close relationship with other types of technical and domestic ceramics, while materials in the Iron Age indicate an increased material specialisation for the preparation of particular fabrics. This development is seen across Scotland and echoes trends seen in other areas of Europe, emphasising the role and importance of metallurgical and technological networks.