Ancient Copper Mines in Spain and Portugal Fueled Bronze Age Trade Across Europe, Study Finds

New research published in the journal Antiquity reveals that copper mines in modern-day Spain and Portugal were a major source of the metal during the Late Bronze Age, with some copper traveling as far as Scandinavia. The study sheds light on how Iberian mines helped shape Bronze Age trade networks across Europe. Copper was essential for making bronze, which was used for tools, weapons, and ornaments throughout Bronze Age Europe. While many mines from this period have been identified, researchers have long sought to determine which were most active and how far their copper was distributed. The new findings suggest that Iberian mines played a more significant role than previously thought. The research analyzed copper artifacts and mining sites to trace the metal's origins and movement. By linking the chemical signatures of copper objects to specific mines, the team demonstrated that Iberian copper reached distant regions, indicating extensive trade connections during the Late Bronze Age. This discovery highlights the importance of the Iberian Peninsula in prehistoric European commerce. It suggests that communities in Spain and Portugal were not isolated but actively participated in long-distance exchange, influencing technological and cultural developments across the continent. The findings may prompt a reevaluation of Bronze Age economic dynamics and the interconnectedness of ancient societies.