Ancient Trade Route reveals Prehistoric Inhabitants of Ireland preferred Exotic Gold

A new study using scientific methods to examine where Irish gold came from has found that there may have been trade between Ireland and southwest England about 4,500 years ago. Scientists speculate that people in England may have traded gold to Irish people for what the English considered more valuable commodities. But the Irish may have put a special, esoteric premium on the fabled mineral.

“This implies gold was leaving the region because those who found it felt it was of more value to trade it in for other ‘desirable’ goods, rather than keep it,” said Chris Standish of the University of Southampton. He is co-author of a new article in the journal Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society that explains research into determining the origin of gold in Ireland to its source—Cornwall.