Ancient Balkan Weapons and Helmet

[vtsaogames]

Went to a musuem today and saw some pretty things  https://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/2023/01/ancient-weapons-and-helmet-from-balkans.html

[trev]

Impressive.  Those swords and axe heads look surprisingly like iron.  I assume they are all bronze.

[tikitang]

Even the helmet is wearing a helmet!

[vtsaogames]

Impressive.  Those swords and axe heads look surprisingly like iron.  I assume they are all bronze.

The weapons are Bronze, many of them cast. The helmet is silver with gilt. Note it has evil eye rotection.

[trev]

Thanks.  I thought the colour was unexpected.  I would imagine something more like this.  I wonder if it is just the age. 

[vtsaogames]

I thought it was iron at first sight. But the museum text and the graduate student both said bronze. Perhaps not all bronze is the color we think.

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Thanks.  I thought the colour was unexpected.  I would imagine something more like this.  I wonder if it is just the age. 

No, it looks like patinated bronze which can be dark green or even black. When bronze oxidises it develops a stable patina which inhibits further oxidisation - that is why bronze tends to be preserved better in achaeological contexts, where iron just rusts away.

If the patina on the bronze was removed, it would stay a shiny 'bronze' colour for awhile, but then the new surface would oxidise again and you'd be back to having a dark patina.

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Also... I LOVE that Thracian helmet! 

[trev]

No, it looks like patinated bronze which can be dark green or even black. When bronze oxidises it develops a stable patina which inhibits further oxidisation - that is why bronze tends to be preserved better in achaeological contexts, where iron just rusts away.

If the patina on the bronze was removed, it would stay a shiny 'bronze' colour for awhile, but then the new surface would oxidise again and you'd be back to having a dark patina.

Interesting.  Thanks for the explanation.

PS The helmet is amazing.