Spectra radiometry traces axehead from Monte Viso to County Mayo (3,700 km total journey). Axeheads traveled up to 1,800 km from source areas in either direction One extraordinary example from Lazio in southern Italy traveled to the Morbihan, then back and south to Italy, totaling 3,700 km Michela's spectra radiometry analysis traced a find from County Mayo in western Ireland back to Monte Viso
One extraordinary axehead traced by Michela's spectra radiometry journeyed from Lazio, Italy to Brittany, then back south to Italy—a total distance of 3,700 km. Another find in County Mayo, western Ireland matched Monte Viso material. Varna on the Black Sea also yielded examples from Montegoa. Lutz Class first coined the concept of a 'Europe of jade' to the west versus a 'Europe of copper' to the east.
Key Facts
- Axeheads traveled up to 1,800 km from source areas in either direction
- One extraordinary example from Lazio in southern Italy traveled to the Morbihan, then back and south to Italy, totaling 3,700 km
- Michela's spectra radiometry analysis traced a find from County Mayo in western Ireland back to Monte Viso
- Varna on the Black Sea also yielded examples from Montegoa
- The identification of the Lazio axehead relied on close-grained typological analysis showing it was a Carnac-style type not made elsewhere in Italy
- Lutz Klaetschler first proposed the concept of a 'Europe of jade' to the west and a 'Europe of copper' to the east
Related site: Varna Necropolis — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: THE MAGICAL ALPINE AXEHEADS of Neolithic Europe | Interview with Dr. Alison Sheridan by The Prehistory Guys