Tin is one of the top commodities in ancient times. As the Bronze Age advances (c. 3300 - 1200 BCE), merchants, traders, explorers and travelers are forming vast networks of roads and connecting waterways.
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Earliest of the major trade routes are the Amber Roads. Baltic amber makes its way from the stormy northern coast to the balmy breezes of the Mediterranian or the exotic spices of Egypt.
The tin routes connect the Middle East and Central Asia. Later, they'll hook up with the Silk Roads and the Steppe routes. Locally, Europe has few sources of tin. In ancient times it's imported on long journeys, from the known tin mining towns of antiquity.
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The most prolific tin mining regions are the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) along the modern border between German / Czech Republic border. It's said to be the oldest site in Europe, first mined c. 2500 BCE.
Tin also comes from the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Brittany in today's France, and Cornwall and Devon in southwestern Britain. Less productive tin sources exist in the Balkans and Tuscany. The Tuscan site at Monte Valerio is worked c. 800 BCE but yields are small.
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During the Bronze Age, Iberian tin is widely traded across the Mediterranean. The later Romans also take advantage of the abundance. People lose interest in the Iberian desposits in the medieval period. After several centuries the ancient tin source re-gained prominence in the mid-1800s.
Tin ore is scarce in west Asia. Small casserite deposits appear along the Yellow River in China. In Southern Turkey, the city of Kestel in the Taurus Mountains has an ancient cassiterite mine. In use from c. 3250 to 1800 BCE, it has two miles of tunnels.
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Some tunnels are only big enough for a child. A grave with remains of children, probably workers, has been found. When the mine stopped producing it was abandoned. Crucibles for melting metals and other tools remain at the site.
The richest deposits world-wide are in Southeast Asia. The ore belt stretches from Yunnan to the Malay Peninsula. Mining here begins c. 700 BCE.
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Tin is used on the Indian subcontinent c. 1500 - 1000 BCE and dependent on trade, lacking sources in the area. The only tin-producing state in India is Chhattisgarh on the central subcontinent.
The Amber Roads and established Mediterranean trade routes bring tin from merchants to buyers, and also transport workers and tradespeople. The Eurasian Steppe Routes facilitate journeys north and east.
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The west-east trade routes are orginally founded on lapis lazuli and turquoise. The Silk Roads open for trade with the West in c. 130 BCE.
The donkey or mule is the common method of transport and hauling along the trade roads. Horses are used by the elite. Camels are domesticated in the 3rd millenium BCE. These and other animals cross paths on the trade routes.
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When the Romans hit the scene in the 8th century BCE, they import their tin from Iberia and northern Portugal. The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most prosperous areas of trade, connecting Greece, Italy, Syria, the Levant, North Africa and other regions.
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