Discusses the relationship between two types of metal deposit of the 1st millennium BC: finds of elaborate artifacts in rivers and similar locations and the nonritual hordes found on dry land, which sometimes contain scrap metal. It seems likely that fine bronzes were being sacrificed at an increasing rate during this period; the supply of bronze came under strain, and more material had to be recycled to meet the need for everyday artifacts. These conflicting claims contributed to the adoption of ironworking in Western Europe.