First evaluations of analytical data from East Alpine prehistoric metal artefacts have shown that a use of different types of copper can be expected varying in time and space (Sperber, 2004, Möslein, 2008). These studies mainly emphasise a change from the use of fahlore based copper in the Early Bronze Age to the major use of chalcopyrite based copper in the Middle Bronze Age, with a shift in the Hallstatt A2 period, when both materials were used to produce bronze (Lutz & Pernicka, 2013, Pernicka & Lutz, 2015, Lutz, 2016).
In the following these general observations are specified for a defined area and a certain object group. Copper and bronze axes from Western Austria (Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper Austria) have been chosen as these objects are available in all periods and regions and contain a representative amount of copper. The above mentioned succession of fahlore copper use, chalcopyrite copper use and the use of both materials is also observed within the examined axes. A more detailed picture evolves regarding the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age, when the use of fahlore copper is mainly observed in bronzes based on diluted fahlore copper and not on pure fahlore copper. This is particularly notable as a big Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age fahlore production center - Schwaz/Brixlegg - lies in the heart of the examined area.
Regarding alloying practice, two observations are remarkable: In the Late Bronze Age (Ha A1-B3) the average tin content drops significantly, correlated to the reuse of fahlore copper. In the Early Iron Age (Ha C1-D2), the alloying practice changes again and the tin content in the axes rises to a level like in the Middle Bronze Age, but also the lead contents rise.