Credit: HW Nørgaard, D Berger, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328268Scientists have used a new ‘archeometallurgical’ approach to determine the origins of metals used by the Bronze Age Nuragic culture to make Sardinia’s iconic ‘bronzetti’ figurines. The Nuragic flourished on the island now known as Sardinia in Italy during the archaeological period known as the Bronze Age. They used a new approach which integrates conventional trace-element and lead isotope analyses with rarely used copper, tin and osmium isotope measurements. Close up of a Nuragic bronzetti, a bronze statuette of circa 10cm height with the typical horned helmet and the welcoming hand symbol. The bronzetti was found at the Bronze Age sanctuary of Abini in central Sardinia.