The first petrographic characterisation of a prehistoric rock crystal mine in the Swiss Alps.

ABSTRACT: Over the past decades, there has been increasing evidence for the prehistoric use of rock crystal in mountainous environments, including craft specialisation and long-distance exchange. Yet there are only a few known sites where the mineral was quarried in sustainable quantities. One of them is situated near Fiescheralp in the Upper Valais (Switzerland) and dates to the Early Mesolithic and a final stage of the Neolithic. Here we present the first petrographic characterisation of a prehistoric rock crystal mine in the Swiss Alps, involving a combination of different methods. The article provides a detailed description of the fluid inclusions within the quartz crystals and an overview over the related mineral paragenesis. This gives interesting new insights into the formation of the analyse

SUBMITTER: Hess T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10756879 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature