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Ancient Spanish Copper Mine Reveals Bronze Age Trade Links to Scandinavia
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What Happened?
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence at an ancient copper mine in southern Spain, suggesting that metal from Iberia may have reached as far as Scandinavia during the Bronze Age.
Key points
- The Las Minillas copper mine in southern Spain was active between 1300 and 700 BC.
- Archaeologists found 735 grooved stone hammers and pottery fragments at the site.
- Lead-isotope analysis indicates that some bronze objects in Scandinavia may contain copper from Las Minillas.
- The mine is part of a larger network of 84 mining sites across the Iberian Peninsula.
- Southern Iberia may have become a significant copper supplier during the Late Bronze Age.
Key insights
- The findings could reshape our understanding of Bronze Age trade routes in Europe.
- This evidence may lead to further exploration of unexplored ancient mines in the Iberian Peninsula.
- The connections between distant regions suggest a complex network of resource exchange during the Bronze Age.
Why it matters
This discovery highlights the extensive trade networks that existed in ancient Europe, connecting distant communities through metal resources.
Tags
Entities
Las Minillas· LocationSpain· CountryScandinavia· LocationAntiquity· Event
Source
Times of India
