Seven silver pins and hair rings from the Royal Tombs of Ur, dating from about 2500 B.C. were analyzed spectroscopically. The purity compares favourably with presentday sterling (92.5 per cent). The silver was refined and one to five percent of copper was added to harden the metal and lower the melting point. The silver core is surrounded by three layers of corrosion products. The inner layer (violet) consists of silver, AgCl, and various impurities which have diffused inward and replaced the original silver. The middle layer (black to violet) consists of CaCO₃, AgCl and elements (Au, As, Bi, Sn, and Zn) that have diffused outward. The outer layer (light yellow) is CaCO₃ redeposited from limestone by the reaction of water and atmospheric CO₂. The composition of the original silver may be approximated by correcting the composition of the core for the outward diffusion of elements and the inward diffusion of impurities. -- AATA