Prehistoric copper metallurgy in the Italian Eastern Alps, recent results

The results of archaeometric investigations on copper slags and copper/bronze artefacts of Eneolithic and Bronze Age from North-Eastern Italy are presented. The research has been carried out in collaboration with a number of Regional Superintendencies, Museums, and Universities. Concerning prehistoric slags, all known occurrences of Eneolithic slags from Trentino (La Vela, Gaban, Acquaviva di Besenello, Romagnano, Montesei di Serso) and Alto Adige (Millan, Gudon, Bressanone Circonvallazione Ovest) have been investigated from the chemical and mineralogical point of view to interpret the copper extraction technology. Lead isotope ratios and trace element concentrations measured on copper droplets and residual sulphides within the slags have been used to locate the ore sources. Analogous characterization measurements were performed on Late Bronze Age slags from three sites in Trentino (Luserna, Segonzano, Transacqua). The critical interpretation of the data confirms that there are two major phases of copper exploitation in the area: one peaking in the latter part of the Eneolithic Age, and one peaking in the Late Bronze Age. Each phase is characterized by distinct metal extraction technologies and geographical distribution of the metallurgical activities. Concerning prehistoric artefacts, a number of selected copper and bronze objects have been investigated from the area for the interpretation of the manufacturing technology (metallography) and metal provenance (chemical and isotopic analyses). A few objects made with copper ores of East Alpine origin have been positively identified, though the data also indicate a wide circulation of copper metal originating from ore sources outside the Alps.