Roman Metal Votives from Denmark

Copper-based belt and strap fittings from the Danish votive offering at Ejsbøl have been analyzed. The analyses showed that fittings of similar appearance had similar or identical composition. Objects with identical compositions, usually 2 to 4 fittings or rings, seem to indicate that they were cast with the same batch of metal. Similar but not identical compositions indicate different casting processes; however, the intention of the bronze worker was that of producing these items with the same kind of alloy. Casting sprues were often recycled to produce the rivets employed in the mounting of the same or other fittings. Each fitting consists of several metal parts of similar composition which allow their correlation with parts of other fittings. The comparison of the composition of large groups of fittings allows their linking to the same workshop. The pieces found in two different archaeological excavations can, therefore, be interpreted as part of the same votive offering.