Vice-versa: The iron trade in the western Roman Empire between Gaul and the Mediterranean

A groundbreaking analysis of iron trade in the western Roman Empire reveals distinct patterns of long-distance exchange between Gaul and the Mediterranean. By examining slag inclusions trapped in iron bars from 23 shipwrecks off Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, researchers identified two primary trade routes: one carrying Wallonian (Belgium) iron downstream along the Rhône River, while another transported Montagne Noire (France) iron upstream. This discovery sheds new light on the complex logistics of Roman-era metallurgy and trade networks. The study leveraged trace element analysis to compare slag from these wrecks with primary slag from six key ironmaking regions in Gaul, offering a novel method for reconstructing ancient economic systems.

Pagès, G., Dillmann, P., Vega, E., Berranger, M., Bauvais, S., Long, L., & Fluzin, P. (2022). Vice-versa: The iron trade in the western Roman Empire between Gaul and the Mediterranean. Plos One, 17(5), e0268209. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268209