British Tin Identified as Key Bronze Age Source

A study published in Antiquity has confirmed that tin from Cornwall and Devon in southwest Britain was the main source for Bronze Age Europe and Eastern Mediterranean societies, ending a long-standing archaeological debate about Mediterranean tin origins. Advanced chemical and isotopic analyses of ores, ingots, and artifacts—including finds from shipwrecks off Israel and France—demonstrate British tin was traded over 4,000 kilometers and fueled bronze production for tools, weapons, and ornaments. The research shows that British farming communities were part of a vast international network, supplying societies such as the Mycenaeans and Egyptians. The trade, involving tons of tin moved annually, represents the first instance of a British commodity being exported continent-wide. Ancient accounts, including those of Pytheas, and the importance of centers like Saint Michael’s Mount are corroborated. The findings highlight the sophistication of prehistoric mining and commerce and significantly revise Britain's perceived role in Bronze Age trade.