•We investigated the origin of the lead used in the hydraulic system installed in Conimbriga during Roman Empire.
We identified lead produced by smelting of silver-poor galena ores, desilvered litharge and recycled with tin solders.
Most of lead pipes in Conimbriga would be manufactured with galena ores from Sierrra Morena mining district.
Pipes of the Aqueduct (having an earlier chronology) were produced using jarosites from the Iberian Pyrite Belt.