The history and principles of the use of the lead isotope technique for tracing the source of raw materials used in the manufacture of archaeological objects is briefly reviewed. Particular attention is focused on the use of lead isotope studies for the study of archaeometallurgy and metal trade routes in the Bronze Age Aegean. The isotope geochemistry of lead in metal ore bodies is discussed, possible variations of lead isotope composition throughout an ore body and in its different component minerals are addressed and the concept model lead isotope ages and its value for archaeometallurgy is mentioned. The preservation of lead isotope composition from ore body into smelted, cast, worked, and partly corroded artifact is illustrated theoretically and experimentally. Measurement techniques are described whilst the mixing problem and leading principles of the application to archaeology of the lead isotope technique are discussed. Finally a number of case histories are given.