SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND—Scientists from the University of Southampton and the University of Bristol measured the chemical composition of some of Ireland’s earliest gold artifacts with laser ablation mass spectrometry and compared the results with the composition of gold deposits in Ireland and in a variety of other locations. They found that the objects, including basket ornaments, discs, and necklaces, had been made with imported gold—most likely gold that originated in southern England. “Perhaps what is most interesting is that during this time, compared to Ireland, there appears to be much less gold circulating in Cornwall and southern Britain. This implies gold was leaving the region because those who found it felt it was of more value to trade it in for other ‘desirable’ goods—rather than keep it,” Chris Standish of the University of Southampton said in a press release. Standish and team member Alistair Pike, also of the University of Southampton, think that the value of gold may have varied from region to region. “Prehistoric economies were driven by factors more complex than the trade of commodities—belief systems clearly played a major role,” Pike said. To read more about the recovery of several rare prehistoric gold artifacts, go to "Irish Gold."
“Exotic” Gold Preferred in Ireland’s Prehistory
News June 5, 2015
Recommended Articles
Digs & Discoveries March/April 2022
A Shining Example
Digs & Discoveries November/December 2024
Bronze Age Paleontologists
Digs & Discoveries November/December 2024
Secrets of a Silver Hoard
-
Features May/June 2015
The Minoans of Crete
More than 100 years after it was first discovered, the town of Gournia is once again redefining the island's past
(Jarrett A. Lobell) -
Letter from Hawaii May/June 2015
Inside Kauai's Past
Ideal conditions within an ancient cave system are revealing a rich history that reaches back to a time before humans settled the island and extends to the present day
Courtesy Lida Piggott Burney -
Artifacts May/June 2015
Late Roman Amulet
(Courtesy Joachim Śliwa) -
Digs & Discoveries May/June 2015
The Charred Scrolls of Herculaneum
(Fotonews/Splash News/Corbis)