The lead isotope data of lead coffin fragments found in late-Roman cemeteries in the Rheinland (Köln-Aachen area), Germany, generally cluster in a very narrow range. The coincidence of the lead isotope composition with that of post-Variscan galenas from the Eifel area south of the Rheinland indicates the provenance of the lead metal from ores mined there. It can be speculated that at least part of the lead metal of the coffins is a by-product of late-Roman silver production from Eifel galenas.

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