Archaeological reconstruction of medieval lead production: Implications for ancient metal provenance studies and paleopollution tracing by Pb isotopes
Sandrine Baron|Cécile Le-Carlier|Jean Carignan|Alain Ploquin
The identification of metal provenance is often based on chemical and Pb isotope analyses materials from the operating chain, mainly ores metallic artefacts. Such analyses, however, have their limits. Some studies are unable to trace artefacts or ingots ore sources, even in well-constrained archaeological contexts. Possible reasons for this difficulty be found among a variety limiting factors: (i) problems signatures, (ii) mixing different (alloys), (iii) use additives during metallurgical process, (iv) recycling (v) possible isotopic fractionation production. This paper focuses issue smelting address provenance. Through an experimental reconstruction argentiferous production medieval period, attempt was made better understand interpret composition products. It shown that measured differences (outside total external uncertainties 0.005 (2∗sd) 206Pb/204Pb ratios) signatures between ores, slag smoke not due mass processes, but (1) heterogeneity (Δ206Pb/204Pbslag-ores = 0.066) (2) process 0.083). Even if these causes and/or (2), reduction appears reflect mining area without significant disturbance its signature all ratios (Δ206Pb/204Pbsmokes-ores 0.026). Thus, because district averaged slags, as most relevant product identify ancient Whereas aiming at identifying given mine seems beyond possibilities provided by method, searching through analysis workshop should provide more appropriate approach cases where no evidence available. Furthermore, does seem significantly affected process. Paleopollution recorded peat deposits could help detect workshops. Integrated collaboration archaeologists geochemists crucial achieve goal.
Applied Geochemistry|HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)