Calculating vessel capacity from the Neolithic sites of Lugo di Grezzana (VR) and Riparo Gaban (TN) through 3D graphics software

This paper reports new data about the estimation of the volumetric capacity of ceramic vessels from the Neolithic sites of Lugo di Grezzana (Verona, Italy) and Riparo Gaban (Trento, Italy). The methodological protocol is based on a free and open source 3D computer graphics software, called Blender®. The estimate of the volumetric capacity has been relied from the graphic elaboration of the archaeology drawing of the artifacts. Through the calculation of volume has been possible to obtain an estimation of the total capacity of the vessels, proposing two types of content. Subsequently, the volumetric data was related to diameter/height ratio of each ceramic vessel, in order to define a range of variability in each typological class. Data from both sites were later compared, highlighted for the most part of them a specific distribution that could be a consequence of different functional uses and/or cultural models. This paper concludes the preliminary results presented at the 2020 IMEKO TC4 International Conference on Metrology and Archaeology for Cultural Heritage.</p

Late-Holocene climatic variability south of the Alps as recorded by lake-level fluctuations at Lake Ledro, Trentino, Italy

International audienceA lake-level record for the late Holocene at Lake Ledro (Trentino, northeastern Italy) is presented. It is based on the sediment and pollen analysis of a 1.75 m high stratigraphic section observed on the southern shore (site Ledro I) and a 3.2 m long sediment core taken from a littoral mire on the southeastern shore (site Ledro II). The chronology is derived from 15 radiocarbon dates and pollen stratigraphy. The late-Holocene composite record established from these two sediment sequences gives evidence of centennial-scale fluctuations with highstands at c. 3400, 2600, 1700, 1200 and 400 cal. BP, in agreement with various palaeohydro-logical records established in central and northern Italy, as well as north of the Alps. In addition, high lake-level conditions at c. 2000 cal. BP may be the equivalent of stronger river discharge observed at the same time in Central Italy's rivers. In agreement with the lake-level record of Accesa (Tuscany), the Ledro record also suggests a relatively complex palaeohydrological pattern for the period around 4000 cal. BP. On a millennial scale, sediment hiatuses observed in the lower part of the Ledro I sediment sequence indicate that, except for a high-stand occurring just after 7500 cal. BP, lower lake levels generally prevailed rather before c. 4000 cal. BP than afterwards. Finally, the lake-level data obtained at Lake Ledro indicate that the relative continuity of settlements in humid areas of northern Italy during the Bronze Age (in contrast to their general abandonment north of the Alps between c. 3450 and 3150 cal. BP), does not reflect different regional patterns of climatic and palaeohy-drological conditions. In contrast, the rise in lake level dated to c. 3400 cal. BP at Ledro appears to coincide with a worldwide climate reversal, observed in both the hemispheres, while palaeoenvironmental and archaeological data collected at Lake Ledro may suggest, as a working hypothesis, a relative emancipation of proto-historic societies from climatic conditions

A.I.S., Archaeological information System. Un WebGIS come strumento di lavoro del Progetto APSAT: la struttura dei dati

The focus of the A.I.S. (Archaeological Information System) is the creation of a wide-ranging archive relating to the archaeological landscape of the Alps. The webGIS was born and grew through several projects (e.g. Alpinet, Apsat). During this time, it has fulfilled an important role as a tool for collaboration between research partners. The process of cataloguing cultural heritage materials, starting from the work of the ICCD (Istituto Centrale per il Catalogo e la Documentazione – Central Institute for Cataloguing and Documentation ) and other important projects, has stimulated a methodological discussion relating to the need for a shared standard regarding archaeological entities, definitions and their characteristics. The webGIS platform comprises a geographical environment along with various themes (archaeological sites, landscape units, infrastructure, dairying, place names, mining districts, inscriptions left by shepherds, …) linked to a large dataset covering – in addition – non geographic information related to the archaeology of the recorded entities (exploited minerals and mining phases, stratigraphic units, occupational phases, elements of material culture and ecofacts, …). The main functions available in the A.I.S. are archaeological querying, the visualization and printing of thematic maps, a reserved area for research partners to exchange documents and information, and tools for risk management. In addition other utilities are given for data import/export, finding places by name (the ‘address to’ service), maps and data entry, a back-up system and user profile administration. Recent additions to the platform are a user-friendly interface for guests and the possibility of 3D visualization. All the software used is innovative and conforms to free and open source standards (FOSS)

L'agricoltura di Lugo di Grezzana (Verona) considerazioni preliminari

SUMMARY - Agriculture in Lugo di Grezzana (Northern Italy, Verona): preliminary observations - Recent analyses on charred remains from Lugo di Grezzana (VR), especially from ES 235 (area IX) infillings attributed to the Fiorano culture phase, enriched the framework of the Early Neolithic Northeastern Italy. These analyses have also confirmed the existence of significant diversities related to cultural facies and geographic areas. The comparison with the data from Friuli region, and specifically from Sammardenchia, suggested important differences to be attributed to a different production organization (tab. II). The most exploited species are barley and emmer, and secondarily the naked wheat. The main difference with Sammardenchia is the complete lack (as far as we know) of the new glume wheat and the very limited exploitation of einkorn. The harvest of fruits is important in the settlement: acorns and hazelnuts are the most exploited. The presence of the barley is similar in the two settlements. The lack of leguminous plants in the Lugo di Grezzana samples does not enable any comparison between the two

Le strutture di combustione in fossa dell'insediamento di Lugo di Grezzana (Verona)

SUMMARY - Firing pits at Lugo di Grezzana (Verona) - At the early Neolithic site of Lugo di Grezzana (Verona), Northern Italy, which relates to Fiorano culture (5300-4900/4700 cal BC) several firing pits have been found and recently studied. The five firing pits investigated are morphometrically similar, with a circular or squared shape, often associated with vertical walls and a flat base. Dimensions are different and vary in diameter and deep. They present well defined characteristics that could be connected to fire use: infillings rich in charcoal and ash remains, strong rubefaction of the walls, oxidized sediments, artifacts and ecofacts modified by fire such as burnt clay, burnt beams, flint tools and small sherds. A possible function as pits used to fire pottery has been proposed

I focolari, forni e fosse di combustione di Lugo di Grezzana (VR)

Several firing structures, fireplaces, ovens/kilns and firing pits, were found at the Early Neolithic site of Lugo di Grezzana (VR) in Valpantena (Italy), which relates to the Fiorano culture (5300-4900 a.C cal.). Hearths are heat alteration of substrate, which can be prepared or delimited; plastered surfaces hardened by fire are part of fireplaces or ovens/kilns; the latter recognised in vault remains and abundance of daub fragments; firing pits are all characterised by deep rubefaction of the walls, a slightly-fired bottom (or not fired at all) and large carbonized beams just few centimetres above the bottom. There are also all those identifying elements of activities related to the use of fire: ash, charcoal, fired clay, burnt ecofacts and artefacts. The filling over the carbonized beams consists of mixed sediment and chaotic lying artefacts. The morphological peculiarities, the characterisation of the fills and the dimensional differences between the combustion structures suggest different functions. Only the largest and deepest pits can be interpreted as kilns for pottery firing, but other functions are taken in consideration, bearing in mind they may be multi-functional pits.Il sito di Lugo di Grezzana, ubicato nella media Valpantena e attribuito al Neolitico antico, cultura di Fiorano (5300 – 4900 a.C. cal.), ha restituito diverse evidenze attribuibili a strutture di combustione (focolari, forni e fosse di combustione) variamente distribuite. I focolari sono rappresentati da semplici alterazioni termiche del sedimento e sono legati ai complessi abitativi; i forni sono costituiti da una piastra a terra e una volta parzialmente preservata. Le fosse di combustione sono di diversa forma e dimensione, hanno pareti rubefatte, fondo piatto, leggermente scottato (o non scottato affatto) e larghe travi carbonizzate rinvenute a pochi centimetri sopra il fondo ricoperte da sedimento e manufatti. La combustione avvenuta all’interno della buca è piuttosto evidente: sono presenti infatti tutte quelle tracce considerate identificative dei processi di combustione (alterazioni termiche del suolo, presenza di carboni, ceneri, concotti e travi carbonizzate). Queste poche e apparentemente semplici caratteristiche suggeriscono una complessa tecnologia pirotecnica. La dimensione delle strutture, la loro profondità e la consistente rubefazione delle pareti fa supporre cotture prolungate e/o reiterate quali potrebbero essere state quelle per la produzione della ceramica. Non si escludono altre funzioni o la possibilità che si possa trattare di buche multifunzionali

Lugo di Grezzana, insediamento neolitico della cultura di Fiorano: l'industria ceramica del sett. IX

La neolitizzazione tra Oriente e Occidente - Atti del Convegno di Studi, Udine 23-24 aprile 1999, a cura di A. Pessina e G. Musci