Iron Age circulation and use of lead in the Balearic Islands. New isotopic data from galena and archaeological metals

Abstract

This paper examines the results of a series of analyses of minerals and archaeological objects from the Balearic Islands. In total, it presents the analytical results of the elemental and lead isotope compositions of 13 samples of galena deposits from Mallorca and Minorca, in addition to 18 archaeological objects made of lead and lead-rich ternary alloys from different Mallorcan necropolises from the Post-Talayotic period (c. 550-123 bc). The aim of the study is to analyse the circulation of lead and to gain an insight into strategies for the management and consumption of this metal by local communities during the Late Iron Age. With these data, comparative analyses can be made and, combined with data from other projects, a better vision can be gained on the Balearic Islands’ integration in Mediterranean trade routes during this period. The results also reflect the complexity of these networks, in which the Punic-Phoenician world played a particularly important role, although, in parallel with this, the use of local resources by local native Balearic communities can be inferred.

Keywords

• arqueometalurgia
• análisis de isótopos de plomo
• postalayótico
• mundo fenicio-púnico
• mediterráneo
• mallorca
• minerales de plomo