Pantelleria come polo di attrazione e connettività nel Mediterraneo centrale: dalla circolazione dell'ossidiana agli scambi nella media età del Bronzo

The archaeological evidence on the island of Pantelleria from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age is the best context to explore the theme of connectivity in Central Mediterranean. Since Early Neolithic, the presence of obsidian sources and the analysis of the circulation of artefacts allow to assume the presence of settlements, even though with the alternative forms of ephemeral frequentation or stable villages. They allow as well to analyse forms of exchange in the Mediterranean, especially among northern Africa, Lampedusa, Malta and Sicily. The distribution of material on the island suggests the presence of several permanent settlements, favoured by environmental conditions and the availability of subsistence resources, not forgetting the role of these settlements in controlling the exploitation of obsidian. In the Bronze Age, the settlement and the cemetery of Mursia refer to a complex social structure, involved in seafaring navigation and wide interactions within the Mediterranean. They anticipate the evidence of the circulation of goods from the Mycenaean period and offer the opportunity to analyse alternative products and routes from the eastern Mediterranean to the Atlantic coast. Between the 18th and 15th centuries B.C., rises a fortified settlement inhabited by a flourishing community based on agricultural and pastoral economy, apparently more focused on land products, but also exploiting marine resources. The presence of artefacts of foreign origin demonstrates a high level of connectivity from Egypt and the eastern regions to the opposite area of Western Mediterranean. The role of Pantelleria is also marked by exports, in particular, local volcanic stone products. Finally, its eographical position makes it possible to identify routes and navigation systems gravitating towards North Africa, alternative to the routes that connected the Aegean with southern Italy. Pantelleria, with Montagna Grande reaching a height of 836 m, was a veritable beacon for those sailing in the Mediterranean, offering water, food, timber and guaranteeing the availability of exchanges.