Bronze Age mines discovered in Spain may explain Scandinavian metal mystery

ScienceDaily ^ | April 29, 2026 | University of Gothenburg

[SunkenCiv]

Archaeologists have uncovered six previously unknown Bronze Age mining sites in Extremadura in southwestern Spain. The discoveries were made during a February survey led by researchers from the Maritime Encounters program at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. These sites could help answer a long-standing question about where the metal used in Scandinavian Bronze Age artifacts originally came from.

Fieldwork took place from February 9 to 16 in the region surrounding Cabeza del Buey in the province of Badajoz. The project was carried out in partnership with the Universidad de Sevilla and specialists from the Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Badajoz.

Researchers documented six distinct mining locations. These ranged from small extraction areas to larger, more complex sites. One location stood out due to the discovery of about 80 grooved stone axes, which were used to break down and process ore.

The mines contain copper, lead, and silver, all of which played a key role in Bronze Age economies. These materials were widely traded across long distances, forming the backbone of early European exchange networks.

This investigation builds on earlier work connected to the Maritime Encounters program and other archaeological projects led by Professor Johan Ling at the University of Gothenburg. Previous studies using lead isotope and chemical analysis of Scandinavian Bronze Age artifacts have suggested that much of their metal originated in southwestern Spain.

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: ancientnavigation; argaric; bronzeage; copper; godsgravesglyphs; lead; mining; scandinavia; silver; spain

[SunkenCiv]

During an archaeological survey, researchers from the Maritime Encounters, University of Gothenburg, identified six previously unregistered Bronze Age mines in Spain.

Credit: Johan Ling

[SunkenCiv]

• Roman Gold Mining Operation Identified in Spain [03/10/2026]
• Study reveals copper resources in Granada were exploited 4,000 years ago [01/23/2025]
• 3600-year-old Swedish Axes Were Made With Copper From Cyprus [05/12/2016]

[SunkenCiv]

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“...six previously unregistered Bronze Age mines in Spain.”

How dare those people operate unregistered mines! Arrest them!

[SunkenCiv]

😁 At this point, arresting them would require a broom and dustpan.

[texas booster]

“… early European exchange networks”

Wait until Brussels find that Neanderthals started capitalism…

[Resolute Conservative]

Vibranium?

[Paal Gulli]

I didn't realize it still was considered a mystery.

I got interested in the mines in Wales when the TV series 'Poldark' came out in 2015. Part of the storyline concerns copper and tin mines in Wales, which gave me to wonder how long the Welsh mines had been active and whether they might have exported it off that stinkin' island during the Bronze Age. Even back then there were records of 'foreign interests' (my term) coming to Wales to buy from them.

So even that long before Lindesfarne, I always figured it was a short trip across the channel, and from there a few weeks by packhorse to Scandinavia.

Bronze Age discovery reveals surprising extent of Britain's trade with Europe 3,600 years ago

31 October 2019

...[E]arly trade between Britain and Europe was much more widespread than previously thought. Our new research reveals remarkable evidence of a copper-mining bonanza in Wales 3,600 years ago that was so productive that the metal reached France, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden....

[Valin]

Thumbs Up!!!

[Does so]

Valerian...