Science

Ancient copper mine hints that Iberia played an important role in Bronze Age trade networks

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Briefings

New research published in Antiquity suggests Late Bronze Age mines in modern-day Spain and Portugal supplied copper to Scandinavia, challenging previous assumptions about trade routes. This finding highlights Iberia's potential role in connecting European economies during a critical period of technological advancement.

Key points

• Researchers identified a series of mines in modern-day Spain and Portugal as potential Late Bronze Age copper sources.
• Copper from these mines may have traveled as far as Scandinavia, reshaping understanding of Bronze Age trade networks.

Context

Copper is essential for making bronze, which shaped tools, weapons and ornaments across Bronze Age Europe. While many Bronze Age mines have been identified throughout Europe, researchers are still trying to pin down which of them were most active at different times and how far their copper traveled.

Limitations

The study relies on limited archaeological evidence from a single journal publication. Specific dates, exact locations, and trade distances remain uncertain due to incomplete data and the nature of prehistoric records.

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