: Reiter, H.; Moesta, H.; Reinhard, W.

Abstract
Nondestructive testing methods can be used to characterise archaeological finding. Microfocal radiography and micro computed tomography have been used to describe the internal structure of Celtic findings of graves. The paper describes the historical background, the archaeological context and the analysis of the manufacturing of joined spherical iron needles. The needles were found in graves of the Hallstatt period. It could be shown, that the results of the X-ray investigations demonstrate already the essential technical details and structures of the joining of the iron needles. A confirmation and detailed analysis could be performed by metallurgical investigations. The manufacturing of the joined needles demonstrates at a very early time the knowledge and control of a very difficult joining process. This is therefore of outstanding importance for the hstory of workmanship of the iron period.