There are several synonyms for the phrase "was an element of". One could use "contributed to", "played a part in", "was a factor in", "had a role in", "was instrumental in", or "was a component of". These phrases all convey the idea that something was part of a larger whole and had some influence or impact on the final outcome. Choosing the right synonym will depend on the context and the desired tone of the sentence. By using different synonyms for "was an element of", a writer can vary their language and avoid repetition in their writing.