Technology of Production of Certain Categories of Non-Ferrous Metal Goods of X–XVIII Centuries from the Territory of Polotsk Land Based on Data of Metallography

The paper reports on the study aimed to investigate features of technological operations used in making some groups of items from non-ferrous metals in the 10th-18thcenturies that come from Northern and Central Belarus. The analysis of the metal structure of 207 samples found that when local artisans selected a ‘chame operatoire" to produce specific categories of goods, they took into account the final form, material and function of a ready-made product. It was found that casting (Christian cult items, small bells, bracelets and buckles) was used as a main technological operation to produce a large repertoire of items that had a sophisticated form; at the same time, some artifacts (fibulae) frequently underwent annealing so that they could acquire some specific properties. In order to make items of simple forms, ‘chame operatoires that included mechanical deformation (some types of bracelets, pins, etc.) were employed.