Phd in PHD SCHOOL OF ARCHAEOLOGY

Thesis title: La specializzazione metallurgica nelle comunità terramaricole: un approccio traceologico e di archeologia sperimentale

The project aims to investigate the theme of specialization in metallurgical production within the Terramare communities through traceological study and experimental archaeology applied to bronze objects from the Terramara of Pragatto (BO), the Terramara of Santa Rosa di Poviglio (RE), and San Michele di Valestra (RE). The work presents an overview of the main features of the archaeological contexts under examination and of the spread of bronze within the Terramare communities. The diffusion of metal production has led to the hypothesis of the existence of specialized smiths who were fully dedicated to metallurgical activities. The topic of specialization in archaeology is discussed, with a particular focus on the distinctive aspects of metallurgy. The analysis of the materials included the traceological study of hundreds of artifacts from the sites and the application of experimental protocols designed to highlight similarities and differences between archaeological artifacts and their experimental replicas, with the goal of interpreting the traces and formulating inferences regarding the various possible levels of specialization.