A Catalogue of Bone-Ash Cupels dating from AD 1500-1537 found in the Archbishop's Palace, Trondheim, during Archaeological Excavations in 1991-1995

Abstract

During the archaeological excavations in the Archbishop’s Palace in Trondheim in 1991– 1995, three successive mints dating from about AD 1500–1537 were uncovered. A high number of bone-ash cupels used for assaying precious metals were found. The assemblage, which is now stored in the NTNU University Museum, Trondheim, represents one of the largest collections of late medieval bone-ash cupels found in a European excavation to date. The catalogue comprises a brief presentation of the use of bone-ash cupels in medieval times and individual descriptions of 186 uncovered cupels and fragments of cupels. The cupels were made in moulds but no such moulds have been found. The upper, outer rim diameter of each cupel has been measured and the results show that the cupels in the assemblage may be grouped into five size classes: 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 mm. The majority have a rim diameter of 35 mm (54%).