La produzione metallurgica nel sito del Bronzo Medio e Recente di Solarolo-via Ordiere (Ravenna): aspetti della tecnologia e provenienza del rame

This study focuses on the analysis of bronze finds and other objects employed in metallurgical activities from the Middle and Recent Bronze Age site of Solarolo-via Ordiere (Ravenna, Italy) investigated between 2006 and 2019. Materials were found both in Middle and Recent Bronze Age layers, as well as from trenches/survey, and include mostly pins and daggers with typological affinities with other bronzes in Romagna and, more in general, in the central Po plain. Noteworthy is the presence of a golden spiral from the Middle Bronze Age 2 layers. The analysed artefacts also include metal fragments, bronze drops and implements involved in metallurgical activities, such as blowing pipes, tuyères and stone moulds, which imply casting and postcasting activities taking place at the settlement. Lead isotope analyses of 6 bronze samples designate the southern side of the Eastern Alps as preferential provenance of copper, except for one dagger constituted of copper plausibly originated from the ores of the Mitterberg area (Austria). Technological and experimental analyses suggest that the overall metallurgical production at Solarolo was not particularly complex. Objects were often re-used and re-adapted, as consequence of wear and fragmentation. Starting from the significant frequency of pins, we experimented the reproduction of two types of pins, documented in Northern Italy during these phases, namely “Cattaragna” and “con testa a rotolo” types. The experiments allowed a better understanding of the chaîne opératoire, from the production of stone moulds to the final refining of the surfaces.