Shipping metal: Characterisation and provenance study of the copper ingots from the Rochelongue underwater site (Seventh–Sixth century BC), West Languedoc, France. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aragón, Enrique; Montero-Ruiz, Ignacio; Polzer, Mark E.; van Duivenvoorde, Wendy
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 41(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Rochelongue underwater site -- Languedoc -- Copper ingots -- Lead-isotope analysis -- Early Iron Age -- Metals trade -- Maritime connectivity -- Indigenous societies -- Phoenicians; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103286
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Highlights: New lead isotope and elemental compositional data. Maritime connectivity. Provenance patterns of copper ingots. Indigenous role in the movement of metals, including maritime. Abstract: The copper ingots from the underwater site off Rochelongue, near Cap d'Agde, on the coast of West Languedoc, offer an exciting means to investigate coastal mobility and cultural interaction between southern France and the broader western Mediterranean basin in the Early Iron Age. This paper presents the results of elemental and lead isotope analyses of a selection of copper ingots from the Rochelongue site, along with several ingots from the Iberian Peninsula, and for the first time demonstrates that their composition is consistent with Iberian and Alpine metalliferous mineral sources, and possibly some Mediterranean sources as well. The Rochelongue site also speaks to the likely role of indigenous societies of Languedoc in the movement of metals between Atlantic, Continental and Mediterranean circuits. The Rochelongue ingot metal thus provides a window into expansive networks of trade contacts that must be evaluated alongside typological and cultural data.