Technical characterization of the necklace of El Carambolo hoard (Camas, Seville, Spain)

The bulk composition of the alloys, the welding/soldering zones and the decorations of the jewels were characterized. The results allowed identifying three joining methods, brazing, fusion welding and autogenous welding. Other joining methods, such as copper salt diffusion bonding, have not been clearly detected. The composition of the necklace is characterized by a lower gold content and higher silver and copper contents with respect to the other jewels of El Carambolo hoard. Furthermore, the necklace presents a more random use of different alloys as compared to Group 1. The results support the hypothesis of a different origin than the rest of the hoard, manufactured locally by foreigner goldsmiths from the Oriental Mediterranean Sea.