  Using FORS2 at the ESO VLT we obtained medium resolution (R ~ 2000) spectra
of 12 galaxies with 2.37 < z < 3.40 in the FORS Deep Field. Two individual
spectra with good S/N and a composite of all 12 spectra were used to derive
properties of the stellar and interstellar absorption lines of galaxies in this
redshift range. Systematic differences between the individual spectra were
found for the strength and profiles of the intrinsic interstellar lines. For
eight spectra with sufficient S/N we measured the `1370' and `1425' metallicity
indices. From these indices we find for our sample that galaxies at z > 3 have
lower mean metallicity than galaxies at 2.5 < z < 3. However there remain
uncertainties concerning the absolute calibration of the metallicity tracers in
use for high-redshift galaxies. Additional modeling will be needed to resolve
these uncertainties.
