Copper based production technologies and metal circulation during the Balearic Islands Prehistory (ca. 2300-850 cal BCE).

6th Conferece of Archaeometallurgy in Europe

Falun. Suecia
Congreso. 2024

Abstract text

The Balearic archipelago (Western Mediterranean, Spain) unites the last Mediterranean islands to be colonised. This happened at the end of the 3rd millennium cal. BCE, when Bell Beaker peoples settled

there. During most of the 2nd millennium BCE, they developed broadly homogeneous communities later denominated ‘Naviform societies’. Their isolation, external influences and/or connectivity with other groups have been under discussion when attempting to explain the key social and material changes identified in the archaeological record over time. Importantly, copper ores are scarce in the Balearic archipelago, which contrast with the substantial amount of metal documented in different contexts and sites. This suggests that much of the metal could arrive from outside of the archipelago.

Against this background, we present different data to characterise metallic production technologies and metal circulation in the Balearic archipelago during Prehistory (ca. 2300-850 cal BCE). The main goal of this research is to approach the technology and provenance of these metal and metallurgical remains and, if possible, relate them to the original ore source. Further objectives are to explore the role of metal in each island, to isolate different production particularities, and to approach how metal exchanges have influenced (or not) the production strategies and historical dynamics of Balearic populations throughout Prehistory. Ultimately, we will explore how technological knowledge was transferred and adapted to the Balearic insular environment. To this purpose, different kinds of metallurgical artefacts, ingots and production remains have been recovered from different sites representing the whole archipelago such as Cap de Barbaria II (Formentera), Arenalet de Son Colom (Mallorca) or Son Mercer de Baix (Menorca). The methodology applied involves elemental analysis performed by pXRF, metallography (including optical and SEM observations and microanalysis) and lead isotope analysis (LIA) performed by MC-ICP- MS.

Initial results show that Menorcan sites were the main metal production centres in the Balearic Prehistory and also concentrate most of the ingots found. Besides, different technological choices and resources were documented and used to produce copper, tin bronze, or leaded alloys. Furthermore, most objects present isotopic matches with Menorcan copper ores while other artefacts can be related with mainland outcrops instead. Thus, this information is relevant for a better understanding of the metal production dynamics, for the interpretation of technological practices, and to approach metals circulation and the connectivity between islands.