Laurion mines

The narrow range of lead isotopic abundances in the Laurion area as shown in this study and the fact that major amounts of lead from this area were mined and used in ancient times indicate that these ratios should serve as a reasonable tracer. The data also justify the assumption previously made, but until now unproved, that the lead output of the Laurion mines was essentially of one uniform and recognizable type. 

Hopper, R. J., The Laurion Mines A Reconsideration, Ann. Brit. School... 

These samples are particularly valuable for this study since the area is undoubtedly the source of much of the lead used in early times. It is not known exactly when mining first began there, but it was probably before 1000 B.C. Marinos and Petrascheck (8) have described the geology of the region, the nature of the ore deposits, and the history of mining at Laurion. According to them, the most important period of exploitation was from 483 B.C. onward, when the deposits at present day Kamarisa were discovered. They state that there are today more than 1000 ancient mine shafts and galleries, some of which are more... 

Ardaillon, E., Les Mines du Laurion dans l Antiquite, Paris, 1897. 

Mining of lead ores is recorded at Mount Laurion in Greece in the fifth century BC. It was mined by the Phoenicians in Spain and later by the Romans in the Rio Tinto region, as well as in Derbyshire in Great Britain and widely throughout Europe, but particularly in Silesia, Bohemia and the Hartz Mountain area of Germany. 

When the Roman Empire took over in the Mediterranean region, the silver deposits in Laurion were insufficient In Cartagena in southern Spain, a big deposit of lead and silver was discovered. These mines were incorporated with Rome about 200 bc in connection with the Punic Wars. 

Yellow ochre, containing the hydrated iron oxides generically referred to as limonite, was the main yellow pigment in classical times and like red ochre, it came from many and widespread sources. The best, which had reached legendary stams by the time of Vitruvius (first century Bc) and Pliny (77 ad) was yellow ochre from the silver mines west of Athens at Laurion (Laurium), Attic Slime as Pliny describes it. Confusingly, although Vitruvius tells us supplies had been exhausted by his time, Pliny quotes us a price of two denarii a pound for this ochre. Vitruvius refers to yellow ochre as ochra and sil, Pliny as sil. 

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