An article by Professor Justyna Baron of the Institute of Archaeology, University of Wrocław, and Kamil Nowak, PhD, of the Austrian Archaeological Institute in Vienna has been published in the journal World Archaeology. The study addresses the phenomenon of cross-crafting in Bronze Age metallurgy in the lands of present-day Poland.

The authors focus on the interplay between standardisation and customisation in metallurgical production – ranging from the serial manufacture of artefacts to individually tailored objects, including items designed for left-handed users or adapted to different hand sizes. Their research demonstrates that these two strategies – often considered mutually exclusive – coexisted and intersected in the craft practices of over three millennia ago.

The publication highlights the importance of expertise extending well beyond metalworking itself, encompassing, among others, ceramic technologies, stoneworking, and the lost-wax technique. It also shows that Bronze Age craftspeople were able to respond flexibly to the needs of their communities, combining the efficiency of standardised production with the ability to create singular, bespoke artefacts.