Early Placer Mining in Saxony. Part 2: Archaeological Investigations at the Sauschwemme – New Evidence for Tin Placer Mining during the Bronze Age, Hallstatt Period, and High Middle Ages

Archaeological investigations at the Sauschwemme streamwork in the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region reveal early tin placer mining dating back to the Bronze Age, with continuity extending into the Hallstatt Period and High Middle Ages. Using high-resolution digital terrain models (DTM) derived from LIDAR data, researchers identified stratigraphically oldest work areas, providing new evidence for the strategic significance of tin deposits in Europe during these periods. The study also highlights the miners' advanced knowledge of extraction techniques and the enduring relevance of these deposits, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Schubert, M., Schröder, F., & Hemker, C. (2026). Early Placer Mining in Saxony. Part 2: Archaeological Investigations at the Sauschwemme – New Evidence for Tin Placer Mining during the Bronze Age, Hallstatt Period, and High Middle Ages. Metalla, 29(2), 115–140. https://doi.org/10.46586/metalla.v29.2025.i2.115-140