Gold route in Europe discovered

Gold route in Europe discovered. According to a new study posted in the Journal Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, an ancient gold trade route in southwest England. The discovery came to light after the gold from about 50 early Bronze Age artefacts was analysed using the new technique of laser ablation mass spectrometry. The artefacts have further revealed that they were made from the gold that was imported from Cornwall through this trade route.

The Laser ablation mass spectrometry is a relatively new technique and is an ambient method for mass spectrometry which is used to combine the laser ablation from a mid-infrared laser to a secondary electros ray ionization process. The mid –IR laser generates gas phaseparticles which get ionized by coming in contact with the charged droplets from the ESI source. This technique was developed by Professor AkosVertes and Dr. Peter names in 2007 and has been its applications in various situations to analyse ancient things.

The lead author of the study, Chris Standish, University of Southampton, revealed that there was hardly any knowledge of gold extraction in Ireland which is why it was imported from other places for production. He also said that there is good possibility that in those days gold was traded for goods, which were considered to be more valuable than gold back then. Standish also said, “This is an unexpected and interesting fact that the workers in Ireland were making artefacts out of the material sourced from outside of the country, despite gold deposits found locally”. The study not only reveals about the trading habits on the route but also tells that it was a prominent one in those times. Since, many of the Universities were onto this research together, other researchers at the University of Bristol have estimated from their findings that around 440 lbs. of gold was traded through this route which amounts to a staggering $7.6 million.

However, the mobilisation of gold on a mass scale has always been related to the US, this study suggests the opposite of it. It suggests that the phenomenon first took place in Europe rather than the U.S. The study also revealed that the early times economies were based on need rather the feasibility of it. The research collaborator, Alistair Pike, suggest that beliefs played a major role in the pre historic economies and determined what to buy and trade and what not to.