Pottery production in bronze age settlements of the Modena area (Northern Italy)

The present work studies proto-historic pottery from Terramare Bronze Age settlements in the Po Plain, northern Italy. Ceramics from six Middle and Recent Bronze Age (XVII-XI cent. B.C.) sites in Modena Province (Montale, Gorzano, Castiglione di Marano, Cà de’ Monesi, Pontenuovo, Montebarello) were analysed to determine area of production, provenance of raw materials and specialization degree of manufacturing process. The physical-chemical characterization of the ceramics (177) and outcrop clays (38) was achieved by petrographic, mineralogical (XRD) and chemical analyses (XRF). The archaeometric investigation revealed a low carbonate matrix as a common feature of the whole pottery data-set, which can hence be assumed as the main marker to identify the possible raw materials. The standardization of the production process and the results of experimental reproductions suggest the existence of two different levels of complexity in pottery production (household and workshop), probably resulting from different systems of organization.