Social dynamics of toxic metal industry in medieval Europe

Peak District lead production, AD 600–1500

Bibliographic Data

ID24224443
AuthorsC P Loveluck (0000-0001-9063-6851, University of Nottingham), Hannah J O''Regan (0000-0001-6293-5475, University of Nottingham), Anna Bloxam (0000-0002-7649-1681, University of Nottingham), Catrin Fear (University of Nottingham), Jane Evans (0000-0003-3667-494X, British Geological Survey), Chenery (0000-0002-4096-0183, British Geological Survey), Carolyn Chenery (0000-0001-9592-051X, British Geological Survey), Colin Merrony (University of Sheffield), Fiona E Moore (York Archaeology), Angela Darlington (Castleton Historical Society)
Year2026
Pages1-20
Publication date2026-10-13
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAntiquity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-598X • E-ISSN: 1745-1744
PublisherAntiquity Publications (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.15184/aqy.2026.10416
OpenAlexW7221598883
LanguageEN
References cited21

The Derbyshire Peak District in central England was one of the largest lead-producing regions in medieval Europe, yet the early history of production is obscure. Here, the authors use tooth-enamel-based lead concentrations accumulated in childhood in three cemeteries, linked to radiocarbon dates, to identify the development of post-Roman lead smelting from the mid-seventh century, with large-scale production and contamination around key mines, including Castleton, by the mid-eighth century AD. Intra- and inter-site comparisons of lead concentrations hint at the social dynamics of producer communities that may provide a benchmark for identifying lead- and silver-producing communities in medieval Europe more widely.

cemeteries · childhood lead exposure · Derbyshire · Lead smelting · Peak District · post-Roman period · producer communities · silver production · Social dynamics · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity · Metallurgy and Cultural Artifacts

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