New approaches on the archaic trade in the north-eastern iberian peninsula: exploitation and circulation of lead and silver

Abstract

A wide-ranging study based on compositional and isotopicanalyses of minerals and manufactured objects from the north-eastern IberianPeninsula and their respective archaeological and cultural contextsdemonstrates significant lead mineral exploitation in the El Priorat area(Tarragona province) linked to Phoenician trade (seventh–sixth centuries BC).This exploitation continued, despite losing intensity, until the Romanization ofthe territory. Our project also aims to determine the nature and origin ofthe lead and silver supply in the northern Iberian territory surrounding thePhocaean enclave of Emporion, especially with regard to the demands of thecolonial mint. The behaviour pattern of the circulation of lead, silver andcopper in Catalonia in the period studied indicates a plurality of contemporarysupply sources, although, at least from the fifth century BC onward, mineralsand metals from the south-eastern Iberian Peninsula take on considerableimportance.