大象传媒

Studies on an ancient ring discovered in the grave of an early Bronze Age woman in southwest Germany suggest it was made from gold that came from Cornwall in the UK - 1,300 kilometres from the site of the grave.

The ring would have been worn nearly 4,000 years ago. So what does this tell us about trade and travel in Europe at that time?

Raiko Krauss is an archaeologist from the University of T眉bingen who led the excavation. He says that the very name of the period 'Bronze Age', suggests that metals had to be transported around the continent at that time.

"Trade is maybe a bit too much. We are talking about exchange in these prehistoric communities. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin and there are not many tin sources in Europe... One of the most prominent at this time is Cornwall... So maybe, together with the tin which is needed to produce bronze, also this small little amount of gold came into Europe."

(Photo: The ring made of gold which travelled from Cornwall to Germany. Credit: Yvonne M眉hleis, LAD Esslingen)

Show less