Researchers traced the origin of early medieval coin silver from Byzantine bullion and a Charlemagne's mine, redefining Europe's economic and political development.
Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have solved the mystery of where the silver in early medieval coins came from by analyzing the chemical makeup of 49 silver coins minted between AD 660 and AD 820 in England, the Netherlands, Belgium, and northern France. The findings reveal that the silver used in these coins originated from Byzantine bullion during the mid-7th century, with a shift to silver from a mine in Charlemagne's Francia a century later. This research could transform our understanding of Europe's economic and political development during this period.
April 08, 2024
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