This article presents the results of lead isotope analysis of ten Byzantine seals from the sigillographic collection of Robert Feind (Cologne). The report is preceded by an overview of pre-existing studies on lead use in the Byzantine Empire and a presentation of the investigated seals datable to the Early Byzantine (4 specimens), Middle Byzantine (5 specimens) and Late Byzantine period (1 specimen). Three seals are of imperial issue. The results of the analysis of lead are compared against the results of isotope analysis of other silver and lead artefacts from Late Antiquity and the Late Byzantine period. The isotop analysis leads to the following conclusions: (a) Many of the seals have isotope ratios consistent with Aegean-Bulgaria-Western Turkey sources; (b) Reused lead was also employed in the manufacture of seals; (c) There appear to be significant chronological and regional differences in the lead used for casting blanks in the eastern Mediterranean. The number of lead seals subjected here to analysis is admittedly too small for the results to be fully representative; still, they provide a starting point for more similar studies which will preferably include excavation finds with known and secure provenance.

中文翻译：

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对拜占庭铅的技术和来源的贡献：十个拜占庭密封件的铅同位素分析

本文介绍了罗伯特·费恩（科隆）印章收藏的十个拜占庭印章的铅同位素分析结果。该报告之前概述了有关拜占庭帝国铅使用的现有研究，并介绍了可追溯到早期拜占庭（4 个标本）、拜占庭中期（5 个标本）和拜占庭晚期（1 个标本）的已调查印章. 三枚印章为帝制。铅的分析结果与古代晚期和拜占庭晚期的其他银和铅人工制品的同位素分析结果进行了比较。同位素分析得出以下结论： (a) 许多海豹的同位素比率与爱琴海-保加利亚-土耳其西部来源一致；(b) 再利用的铅也被用于制造密封件；(c) 地中海东部用于铸造毛坯的铅似乎存在显着的年代和地区差异。诚然，这里进行分析的铅封数量太少，结果无法完全代表。尽管如此，它们还是为更多类似研究提供了一个起点，这些研究最好包括具有已知和安全出处的挖掘发现。