Cristina-Georgeta Alexandrescu, Michael Bode

Roman Lead Finds from Troesmis (Turcoaia, Tulcea County, Romania) and Its Surroundings – an Investigation Based on Lead Isotopes and Trace Element Analyses

Introduction

Roman lead finds from troesmis (turcoaia, tulcea county, romania) and its surroundings – an investigation based on lead isotopes and trace element analyses. Investigate Roman lead artifacts from Troesmis, Romania, using lead isotope and trace element analyses to uncover origins from the Central Balkans, Cévennes, and Yorkshire.

Abstract

Lead samples and one leaded bronze sample from five identifiable objects (e.g. large-scale bronze statues, lead pipes) and three lead  chunks from the area of the ancient center of Troesmis, in the Moesia Inferior province, have been investigated by elemental and lead isotope analyses. Among the analyzed samples, four are dated into the 2nd-3rd centuries AD and were found in the civil settlement near the fortress of the legio V Macedonica and the municipium of Troesmis, while one was uncovered in a rural settlement in the surroundings of this ancient center, at Horia, in a context dated to the 2nd century AD. A fifth object of study is a fragmented lead pipe from a private collection in Bucharest, from Carnuntum, according to the seller, but bearing a maker stamp that relates it to Rome.  Furthermore, three lead chunks, presumably used to hang on wall objects like the bronze plates with the lex of the municipium, have also been analyzed. The provenance investigations of the nine Troesmis finds point to two different lead sources in the Roman Empire,  the Central Balkans (Serbia/Kosovo) and the Cévennes (Massif Central) in France, while the lead source for the pipe fragment in  Bucharest might be Yorkshire in Great Britain. 

Review

This study presents a compelling and well-executed archaeometric investigation into the provenance of Roman lead objects from Troesmis and its surroundings in Moesia Inferior. Focusing primarily on finds from the 2nd-3rd centuries AD, the authors employ the robust techniques of lead isotope and trace element analyses. The diverse sample set, including fragments of large-scale bronze statues, lead pipes, and lead chunks from both urban and rural contexts, provides a broad perspective on material circulation in the region. The inclusion of a lead pipe fragment with a complex backstory regarding its claimed origin and maker's stamp adds an intriguing comparative dimension to the analysis. The core findings are significant, revealing a multi-sourced lead supply for the Roman settlement of Troesmis. The provenance investigations definitively link the Troesmis finds to two distinct lead sources within the Roman Empire: the Central Balkans (specifically Serbia/Kosovo) and the Cévennes region in the Massif Central, France. This dual sourcing underscores the extensive and sophisticated Roman trade and supply networks that provisioned even frontier provinces. Furthermore, the analysis of the fragmented lead pipe, despite its purported origin from Carnuntum and a Roman maker's stamp, interestingly points to Yorkshire in Great Britain as its lead source, demonstrating the analytical power of the methodology to resolve provenance ambiguities. Overall, this research makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of Roman economic history, resource management, and material culture in the provinces. By precisely identifying the geographical origins of lead, the study offers concrete data that illuminates Roman supply chains, trade routes, and the logistics involved in supporting military and civilian infrastructure. The rigorous analytical approach and the clear identification of distinct lead sources make this a strong paper for specialists in Roman archaeology, archaeometry, and economic history, providing empirical evidence that enriches the broader narrative of Roman imperial integration and resource exploitation.

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