The Kaliska II hoard: Interconnections and metal trade between Pomerania and the Nordic zone during the North European Bronze Age

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of a provenance study of nine phalerae from the recently discovered Kaliska II metal hoard, to examine the role of the Pomerania region (northern Poland) in metal exchange networks of the North European Bronze Age. We relate Pb isotope and chemical data, supported by archaeological and typological information, to patterns of metalwork movement and consumption in the region. Our results suggest the metal used in making the domes of the phalerae could be sourced from copper mines in Great Orme, Cornwall, the Italian Alps and South Tyrol. This suggests that the region of northern Poland was involved in a metal trading network that connected much of Europe in the 8th century BCE, providing further evidence for interconnections between Pomerania and the Nordic zone in the North European Bronze Age.