According to a new study in the Journal of Archaeological Science Reports: an isotope analysis of the ore in four lead ingots which were discovered in the 1980’s off the coast near Caesarea indicates they originated in southwestern Sardinia. The ingots, which date to the 12th or 13th century BC, also bear inscriptions in Cypro-Minoan script, suggesting they were processed and “rebranded” at Cyprus, before being sold and shipped to other regions around the Levant. The authors believe the Cypriots were actively involved in trade, procuring lead ore from Sardinia, more than 1550 miles (2500 km) away, in exchange for Cypriot copper, which has been discovered at multiple sites in Sardinia. They suggest this is evidence of the expanse of the trading networks at that point in history.
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