In september 2021, Wim van Schaijk made an extraordinary discovery while metal detecting near Dinther. He found a fragment of a bronze dagger very similar to specimens found in
Switzerland/East France (Jura). This group is called Kannelierte Griffplattendolche, dating from
the early phase of the Middle Bronze Age. The find triggered a series of non-destructive and slightly invasive investigations. First, a pXRF analysis was carried out, revealing that the surface of the dagger was covered with iron concretions. This iron crust strongly influenced the pXRF measurements. The tin value indicated by pXRF was rather high, 33wt%. Therefore, it was decided to examine the fragment at TU Delft, using neutron tomography/gamma spectroscopy. This yielded also a much lower, but still high tin content for Bronze Age metal, 23.6%. Finally, a pXRF of a small drilled sample (7 mg) yielded a result of 8.4% tin, suggesting an average tin percentage.
We conclude that the dagger made a long journey from Switzerland to North Brabant, and was probably fragmented by the last owner. The fragment of the dagger was deposited in the low stream valley of the Aa. This wet place was the final destination of its long life journey.

This chapter focuses on the results of technical analyses of metal objects found in Early La Tène elite graves. These are mainly thin-walled bronze objects that are susceptible to corrosion and post-depositional damage. Various techniques and measurement tools were employed. All bronze items were analysed by handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and the spherical balls were scrutinised in several ways. In total, 161 objects were investigated. All the techniques used are non-invasive; no damage was caused to the objects or object surfaces (Sect. 10.2). In this con-tribution, we focus on three main categories of bronze objects - the situlae, phalerae and spherical balls (Tab. 10.1) - as these were found in relatively large numbers, thus allowing for comparative analyses. Small groups or single items such as wheel parts, body ornaments and a bronze bowl are reviewed within the context of the totality of studied objects (Fig. 10.2). [...]