The first petrographic characterisation of a prehistoric rock crystal mine in the Swiss Alps

Abstract

Abstract Over the past decades, there has been increasing evidence for the prehistoric use of rock crystal in mountainous environments, including craft specialisation and long-distance exchange. Yet there are only a few known sites where the mineral was quarried in sustainable quantities. One of them is situated near Fiescheralp in the Upper Valais (Switzerland) and dates to the Early Mesolithic and a final stage of the Neolithic. Here we present the first petrographic characterisation of a prehistoric rock crystal mine in the Swiss Alps, involving a combination of different methods. The article provides a detailed description of the fluid inclusions within the quartz crystals and an overview over the related mineral paragenesis. This gives interesting new insights into the formation of the analysed fissure and allows comparing rock crystal artefacts found in other archaeological sites to this particular source. The results form the basis for further investigations concerning the circulation and distribution of the raw material in the past.