Silber und Kupfer aus dem Harz

The present Harz landscape is formed by mining and ore-smelting. The roots of this pre-industrial landscape are documented by written and material sources in medieval times and can be traced back al least to the time of the Birth of Christ. The only sources for these early time are the archaeological monuments. They correct and complete the written sources and present the basis for further interpretation, including the tracing of wide-ranging trade connections, technical developments and the reconstruction of the contemporary climate and environment. For the past years, the Harz region and its polymetallic ore deposits have been investigated in great depth. Contrary to previous theories that ores of the Harz region have been used only since Ottonic times, we were able to trace exploitation back to prehistoric times. Systematic and continuous surveying and the excavation of endangered sites resulted in historical settlement models of the low mountain region, as well as the technical development of smelting processes. The unique preservation of archaeological sources also provides an insight into extensively exploited ecosystems, as well as environmental pollution caused by mining and the smelting industry. Remains the question, since which period dominated the Harz ores the metal supply of northern Europe?