Mineral provenance of Roman lead objects from the Cinca River basin (Huesca, Spain). (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cuchí-Oterino, José A.; Alvarez Penanes, Pelayo; Martín-Gil, Jesús; Moldovan, Mariella; Aguilera Aragón, Isidro; Martín-Ramos, Pablo
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 37(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Cerro de la Alegría -- Glandes plumbeae -- Lead isotope ratios -- MC-ICP-MS -- Sertorian War -- Sling bullets -- Pyrenean mines; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Highlights: Pb isotope analysis of 50 Roman lead artifacts from Upper Aragon (Spain) is reported. 29 of the samples were sling bullets connected to Roman civil wars (I century BC). Hierarchical cluster analysis has been used to assign probable provenances. Pyrenean, Iberian Range and Cartagena ores are suggested as the most probable origin. Reported data supports lead-ore extraction in the Central Pyrenees in Roman times. Abstract: A set of 50 lead artifacts, out of which 29 were glandes plumbeae, found at archaeological sites located in the Cinca River basin (Huesca, Spain) were analyzed by MC-ICP-MS to determine lead isotope ratios. A comparison with lead ore deposits exploited by the Romans in the Iberian Peninsula allowed to differentiate two main groups of samples: those manufactured with Pb from nearby Pyrenean or Iberian Range ores (30%), and those from mining areas of Cartagena-Mazarrón in southeastern Spain or S'Argentera in the island of Ibiza (70%). This finding supports the existence of lead-ore extraction in the Central Pyrenees in the Roman period and enhances our understanding of metal supply networks in the region and army provisioning during the Sertorian war.