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This paper presents the provenance study of the iron reinforcements of Bourges Cathedral (13th c.): the links of a 100 m long iron chain, surrounding the eastern parts of the cathedral at the triforium level and 4.5 to 5 m long tie-rods consolidating the arches of the inner aisle at the same level. The analytical methodology is based on the determination of trace rare earth elements analyses by LA-ICP-MS in the slag inclusions of the artefacts and in the slag found on candidate production sites combined with statistical approaches. This chemical approach is crossed with archaeological and historical studies on the monument itself and on the production sites. Ninety-nine iron samples were analyzed on the bars and chains and 238 iron slags from 3 presumed areas of supply. For the first time, iron circulation and trade around a single building yard over a time of 30 to 40 years is studied with a precision never obtained before with historical sources. It shows that mainly four different metallurgical districts, local and more distant, supplied the building yard, mostly depending on the construction phases and also on the types of iron armatures needed.

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Analyses élémentaires de monnaies de Charlemagne et Louis le Pieux du Cabinet des Médailles : l'Italie carolingienne et Venise Résumé-L'ensemble de la collection de deniers carolingiens conservés au Cabinet des Médailles de la Bibliothèque nationale de France frappés en Italie entre 781 et 822 par Charlemagne et Louis le Pieux a été analysé, ainsi que des exemplaires plus tardifs émis entre 822 et 855. Il a ainsi été possible de mettre en évidence la croissance du titre d'argent des deniers frappés par les deux souverains entre 781 et 822, puis un léger déclin durant la seconde période du règne de Louis (822-840) qui s'est poursuivi sous Lothaire (840-855). Les analyses ont également révélé la particularité des monnaies frappées à Venise au nom de Louis le Pieux entre 818 et 822 alors que la ville était théoriquement sous domination byzantine : ces deniers sont moins purs que les autres, et se distinguent également de par la teneur de certains éléments mineurs et traces. Summary-The whole Carolingian denarii collection kept at the Cabinet des Médailles of the Bibliothèque nationale de France struck in Italy between 781 and 822 under Charlemagne and Louis the Pious has been analysed, as well as some later issues minted between 822 and 855. The analysis revealed an enduring increase in the silver fineness of the coins struck by the two rulers between 781 and 822, followed by a slight decrease during the second part of Louis' reign (822-840) that continued under Lothar (840-855). The results obtained also showed the particularity of the coins struck at Venice in the name of Louis the Pious from 818 to 822, even though the city was theoretically under Byzantine rule: these denarii are less fine than the other ones, and differ also regarding the content of some minor and trace elements.

ABSTRACT:Mining and underground archaeology are two domains of expertise where three-dimensional data take an important part in the associated researches. Up to now, archaeologists study mines and underground networks from line-plot surveys, cross-section of galleries, and from tool marks surveys. All this kind of information can be clearly recorded back from the field from threedimensional models with a more cautious and extensive approach. Besides, the volumes of the underground structures that are very important data to explain the mining activities are difficult to evaluate from "traditional" hand-made recordings. They can now be calculated more accurately from a 3D model. Finally, reconstructed scenes are a powerful tool as thinking aid to look back again to a structure in the office or in future times. And the recorded models, rendered photo-realistically, can also be used for cultural heritage documentation presenting inaccessible and sometimes dangerous places to the public. Nowadays, thanks to modern computer technologies and highly developed software tools paired with sophisticated digital camera equipment, complex photogrammetric processes are available for moderate costs for research teams. Recognizing these advantages the authors develop and utilize image-based workflows in order to document ancient mining monuments and underground sites as a basis for further historical and archaeological researches, performed in collaborative partnership during recent projects on medieval silver mines and preventive excavations of undergrounds in France.

This chapter introduces the third theme of the volume: the sources of Viking wealth. It presents a theoretical and methodological framework for ‘fingerprinting’ early medieval silver by archaeometric methods. A combined approach, integrating elemental (especially gold and bismuth) and lead isotope analysis, is advanced. The methods involved, including state-of-the-art laser ablation ICP-MS, are introduced, and the limitations of the approach clearly laid out. These methods are then used to evaluate the diffusion of silver produced at the mine of Melle (Aquitaine, France): a major source of silver coinage in the Frankish kingdoms, which the Vikings acquired through their raids in Aquitaine during the ninth century.

Quelques rares monnaies d’argent mérovingiennes présentent un diamètre sensiblement plus grand que les autres deniers de la même époque. Toutes celles qui portent une mention de lieu d’émission peuvent être rattachées à la cité de Tours. Regroupées sous l’appellation «grands deniers » , dix de ces pièces ont été recensées, auxquelles s’ajoutent deux exemplaires hybrides que leur diamètre et leur lieu de frappe incitent à intégrer dans ce groupe des «grands deniers » mérovingiens tourangeaux. La compilation des connaissances disponibles sur ces pièces et l’apport de nouveaux exemplaires permettent de mieux cerner leur émission et de les insérer dans une chrono-typologie consécutive à la mise en place de la frappe de l’argent au haut Moyen Âge, autour de 675 pour la Touraine.