The Comparative Study of Tool Marks on Non-Ferrous Metalwork from Archaeological Contexts

special attention to decorative punched motifs), using a case study on sheet-gold metalwork from the
Middle and Late Avar Period (7th–8th centuries AD). The historical interpretation of tool marks on nonferrous metalwork1 can take place at different levels of complexity. In some cases, the identification
of products from the same craftsperson is possible, via the identification of specific tools. However,
when interpreting the results of comparative tool mark studies, many aspects are relevant, including
individual variations in tool usage. In this context, experimental archaeology can facilitate the
interpretation of tool marks, as is demonstrated in a preliminary study on two types of punches, which
are common on high-quality metalwork from the Avar Period.