Alpine ice-core evidence for the transformation of the European monetary system, AD 640–670. (14th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loveluck, Christopher P.; McCormick, Michael; Spaulding, Nicole E.; Clifford, Heather; Handley, Michael J.; Hartman, Laura; Hoffmann, Helene; Korotkikh, Elena V.; Kurbatov, Andrei V.; More, Alexander F.; Sneed, Sharon B.; Mayewski, Paul A.
• Is Part Of: Antiquity. Volume 92:Number 366(2018)
• Page Start: 1571
• Page End: 1585
• Publication Date: 2018-12-14
• Subjects: Europe, -- Colle Gnifetti, -- early medieval, -- ice core, -- lead pollution, -- silver coinage; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.05
• DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2018.110
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-598X

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract : The seventh-century AD switch from gold to silver currencies transformed the socio-economic landscape of North-west Europe. The source of silver, however, has proven elusive. Recent research, integrating ice-core data from the Colle Gnifetti drill site in the Swiss Alps, geoarchaeological records and numismatic and historical data, has provided new evidence for this transformation. Annual ice-core resolution data are combined with lead pollution analysis to demonstrate that significant new silver mining facilitated the change to silver coinage, and dates the introduction of such coinage to c . AD 660. Archaeological evidence and atmospheric modelling of lead pollution locates the probable source of the silver to mines at Melle, in France.