Lead isotope analysis of tin bronze objects from the Iron Age site at Baba Jilan, Luristan, western Iran

Abstract

This paper presents the lead isotopic composition of 15 tin bronze objects recovered at Baba Jilan, an Iron Age cemetery located in northern Luristan. The results are compared with data available for copper ore sources, copper-based objects, and slags from across Iran. These data show that the objects have a lead isotopic composition that is compatible with multiple copper sources in Iran, primarily from the Urumieh-Dokhtar and the Sanandaj-Sirjan zones, where ancient mining activities have been identified, and that were previously suggested as sources for the production of metals recovered at other sites on the Iranian Plateau.