Abstract. A reconstruction of historical processes in Bronze and Early Iron Age Italy based on recent archaeological research. This paper consists of a brief examination of the period from the Middle Bronze Age to the beginning of the Iron Age in Italy (c. 17th-9th century BC), divided into phases; the analysis of the archaeological evidence aims at reconstructing the main processes of structural and economic change which took place in mainland Italy as well as in the major islands, Sicily and Sardinia. Based on these data, the regions which for each phase constituted the most important cores of socio-political organization, and those which both originated interregional connections and exchange within the present Italian territory, and participated in international long distance trade are identified. In the earliest part of the time-span considered (Middle and Recent Bronze Age) the core areas were the palafitte-terramare regions, in northern Italy, and Sicily. As regards to the subsequent period (Final Bronze and Early Iron Ages), the independent crises involving these two areas in the 13th century BC were among the factors which triggered the emergence of the central role of Etruria as the main political and economic system in mainland Italy, and of Sardinia as the most important base for East-West interaction in the central Mediterranean.
A Reconstruction of Historical Processes in Bronze and Early Iron Age Italy Based on Recent Archaeological Research
SESTIERI, Anna Maria
2005-01-01
Abstract
Abstract. A reconstruction of historical processes in Bronze and Early Iron Age Italy based on recent archaeological research. This paper consists of a brief examination of the period from the Middle Bronze Age to the beginning of the Iron Age in Italy (c. 17th-9th century BC), divided into phases; the analysis of the archaeological evidence aims at reconstructing the main processes of structural and economic change which took place in mainland Italy as well as in the major islands, Sicily and Sardinia. Based on these data, the regions which for each phase constituted the most important cores of socio-political organization, and those which both originated interregional connections and exchange within the present Italian territory, and participated in international long distance trade are identified. In the earliest part of the time-span considered (Middle and Recent Bronze Age) the core areas were the palafitte-terramare regions, in northern Italy, and Sicily. As regards to the subsequent period (Final Bronze and Early Iron Ages), the independent crises involving these two areas in the 13th century BC were among the factors which triggered the emergence of the central role of Etruria as the main political and economic system in mainland Italy, and of Sardinia as the most important base for East-West interaction in the central Mediterranean.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
