Abstract
Up until now, only the native copper mines of Roua (Massif du Dôme Barrôt, Alpes-Maritimes) have provided clues of protohistoric extraction in the Alpes-Maritimes region. As part of a thesis, questions about extractions and circulation of copper alloy artefacts during the Protohistory are assessed using various methodological approaches. The aim is to establish a relationship between copper’s protohistoric extractions and ancient metal artefacts. Archaeomagnetic dating of firesetting is experimented on permian lutites of the Dome de Barrôt. A survey of ancient mines is also carried out to target areas to be sampled. The provenance of copper containing metal artefact from the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age are examined using lead and copper isotopic imprints. Artefact’s microstructure observations by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) provide information on metal inclusions in copper alloys and protohistoric metallurgical processes. Preliminary experiments and result suggest a regional origin of copper ores for local protohistoric metal artefacts. These conclusions owe to be corroborated by further investigation such as isotope data from local ores, Roua mine surveys and archaeomagnetic datings.