Claude Domergue

The lead and copper isotopic composition of copper ores from the Sierra Morena (Spain)

The paper presents lead and copper isotope analyses of 51 copper ore samples from the Sierra Morena, South of Spain. They are from ancient mines of the Iberian Peninsula collected by Claude Domergue during various field campaigns in the central Sierra Morena from 1965 to 1975. Most samples consist of copper oxide minerals such as malachite, azurite and chrysocolla and stem from the surficial sections of the ore deposits. The aim of the study was to supplement the existing reference data bank on lead isotopic compositions of ancient copper mines from the Iberian Peninsula. This is particularly important for the Sierra Morena for which data exist mostly for lead-zinc but not for copper ores. The lead isotope ratios range from 18.165 to 19.712 (206Pb/204Pb), 0.797 to 0.859 (207Pb/206Pb) and 1.955 to 2.108 (208Pb/206Pb). Two separate fields can be distinguished with a major field intermediate between the ore deposits from SW and SE Spain and a second at higher 208Pb/206Pb values. Copper isotopes were analysed additionally to provide further constraints for provenance studies. The copper isotope ratios δ65Cu of the copper oxide samples are mostly positive and higher on average than those of sulphide minerals. They are a potential tool to distinguish between either sulphide ore or oxide ore deposit derived artefacts.

Where Do the Lead Ingots of the Saintes‐maries‐de‐la‐mer Wreck Come From? Archaeology Compared With Physics

The lead isotope compositions of many different samples from lead ingots of Roman age from two relicts (from Cabrera, and from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer) of the Western Mediterranean have been measured. Other lead isotope analyses of ores, metals or lead ingots from mines of Sierra Morena and from Cartagena and Sardinia have been accomplished. All the lead isotope measurements have been performed at the Joint Research Centre of the European Union, Ispra (Va), Italy. The samples have been prepared in a class 100 clean room, using only ultrapure reagents and FEP materials. In view of the archaeological arguments, it was possible to believe that the Roman lead ingots of the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer 1 wreck came from Spanish lodes, as well as those of the Cabrera 5 wreck. In fact, while the comparison between the first group of ingots (Cabrera 5) and the lead from Sierra Morena is consistent, the correspondence between the second group of ingots (Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer 1) and the Cevennes ores (southern France) gives rise to several problems concerning the archaeological and physical origins. These problems are discussed.

Un nuevo lingote de plomo subacuático en el Grau Vell

Durante el ano 2001 se realizaron varios trabajos de prospeccion arqueologica subacuatica y sondeos en el yacimiento del Grau Vell de Sagunto, motivados por los planes, hoy una realidad, de ampliacion del puerto comercial. Aquellos trabajos, como una continuacion de anteriores campanas, permitieron un primer cartografiado de los restos de estructuras sumergidas en unas aguas de escasa visibilidad.

Les lingots de cuivre de l'épave romaine Plage de la Corniche 6 à Sète et le commerce du cuivre hispanique en Méditerranée occidentale

L’article presente onze lingots de cuivre romains decouverts en mer a la fin de l’ete 2009 au large de Sete (Herault). L’etude typologique et epigraphique ainsi que les analyses isotopiques du plomb effectuees sur ces lingots permettent de les attribuer aux mines du Sud-Ouest de la peninsule Iberique. Le site de Plage de la Corniche 6 vient s’ajouter a la dizaine d’epaves et de gisements sous-marins ayant livre des lingots de cuivre romains au large des cotes de Languedoc-Roussillon. L’ensemble de ces lingots, qui sont eux aussi d’origine hispanique et proviennent de diverses regions minieres du sud de la Peninsule, est presente a la fin de l’article.