The excavation and the study of the remainings of a lead workshop close to Sion, Switzerland, raise the question about the provenance of the metal. Is there a local lead production during Roman times in the Wallis area?
Are theses nails coming from Sardinia or Mallorca?
Based on the determination of lead-isotopes and of the chemical composition of almost 100 pieces of this masterpiece of medieval silverwork, this study gives insights to the circulation of silver and the organisation of silversmithing workshops during the Middle Ages (11th and 12th centuries).
This hand dates from the Middle Bronze Age and was discovered two years ago in Prêles above Bienne. It is 3500 years old making it the oldest known representation of a hand in the history of mankind. Archaeologists were interested in knowing where the materials used, namely bronze and gold, came from.