ABSTRACT
A total of 317 axes from Central Europe, with a considerable emphasis on the North Alpine region, are used for study on skill. Selected from two monographs published by Tobias L. Kienlin were 217 axes. In addition to the available metallographic data it was thought important to actually see and handle the axes from which the samples originate, and subject them to close macroscopic examination. Kienlin's main interest is in the cognitive aspects of metalworking technology, taking a long-term perspective on the development of metallurgical knowledge. In terms of skill a problematic aspect of a diachronic approach that aims at uncovering 'meaningful patterning' is that happens at the expense of individual axes. To uncover differentials in skill the axes need to be compared to contemporaries and to a reference point in time. The next step from the interesting findings on metalworking technology that Kienlin made is to analyse how skill is involved.
