History rewritten: Researchers have discovered the oldest evidence of metal extraction in Poland (photo).

Scientists have uncovered the oldest confirmed evidence of metal ore extraction and metallurgy in Poland. A recent study of lead artifacts from the early Iron Age (800-500 BC) revealed that these items were made from metal sourced a thousand years earlier than previously believed, writes Arkeonews.

Researchers from the Jagiellonian University's Institute of Archaeology conducted an investigation and found that the artifacts discovered in the burial sites of the Lusatian culture were crafted from lead sulfide extracted from the Olkusz deposits.

This discovery establishes the earliest known instance of metalworking directly associated with local ore sources in Poland, predating previous estimates by nearly a millennium.

Tracking the movement of raw materials has long been a crucial aspect of archaeology. While traditional classification methods remain valuable, advancements in archaeometry now enable researchers to accurately identify the geological sources of metals.

Lead isotope analysis is particularly useful for revealing unique chemical signatures in ore deposits, and this approach has helped reconstruct ancient trade routes and understand the spread of metallurgy in prehistoric Europe.

During the Bronze and early Iron Age, the demand for metals such as copper, tin, and lead fueled the development of extensive trading networks. Until now, there was evidence suggesting that Poland primarily relied on imported metals.

However, the findings of this study indicate that local ore extraction began as early as the 8th-7th centuries BC, with lead extraction preceding copper smelting in the region. Historical records and previous research confirmed mining activities in Olkusz during the Roman and medieval periods, but this discovery extends its history back to the 1st millennium BC.

Dr. Karol Dzengelewski from the Jagiellonian University’s Institute of Archaeology noted that these results contradict long-held assumptions regarding early metallurgy in Poland.

"Our research demonstrates that lead extraction at the Olkusz deposits began much earlier than previously thought, representing the oldest direct evidence of ore-based metallurgy in the region," the scholar explained.

Researchers plan to expand their study by analyzing the distribution of metallurgical materials, particularly copper alloys, from the Bronze Age to the end of the early Iron Age. Future studies will include chemical analysis of slag from iron production using osmium and strontium isotopes to refine knowledge about prehistoric metal sources across Europe.

We also reported on rare artifacts discovered during excavations in Turkey. Researchers unearthed