Chronological Problems of the Middle Bronze Age in Southern Italy (original) (raw)
This article focuses on the Early–Middle Bronze Age (MBA) transition in Sicily and southern Italy from a Bayesian radiocarbon perspective. The aims are to: (i) estimate the beginning of the MBA (i.e. Thapsos– Milazzese culture in Sicily; Apennine culture in southern Italy) at four key-sites; (ii) assess the existence of a site- wide variability; and (iii) understand if an offset is likely to have existed between the beginning of the MBA and the Aegean Late Helladic (LH) IIIA phase, which currently marks the start of the MBA. The study indicates that the MBA probably started earlier at Portella (95.4% range 1541–1430, mode 1465 BC) and Roca Vecchia (1706–1394, mode 1460 BC) than at Coppa Nevigata (1527–1292, mode 1410 BC; or 1490–1265, mode 1380 BC) and Ustica (1609–1261, mode 1405 BC). Also, the beginning of the MBA at Portella and Roca Vecchia is probably earlier than that of the LH IIIA. This suggests that the current synchronization between MBA and LH IIIA, based on historical grounds, needs revision as radiocarbon evidence points to an earlier start of the MBA at two of the four sites. Overall, by means of scientific dating methods and Bayesian modelling, the study allows us to set in a different perspective the chronology proposed in the current literature based on historical synchronizations
Quaternary International, 2019
Recently, G. Leonardi and colleagues have discussed in detail the transition of CA/EBA in northern Italy (Leonardi et al., 2015). After an initial assessment of the current (relative) typochronology, they run a simple Bayesian model using a previously selected database of radiocarbon dates ranging between 4100 and 3500 BP from central northern Italy (the regions of Lombardy, Trentino, central-western Veneto and the plain of Emilia-Romagna). The phases, which in their model were designed to allow partial overlap, were grouped and ordered in Late Copper Age, Bell-Beaker Culture, Early Bronze Age and Polada Culture. The latter has been traditionally considered to coincide with the EBA in northern Italy (Peroni, 1971; Carancini et al., 1996; Bietti Sestieri, 2010). The model showed a partial overlap between the end of the CA (2438-2187 calBC) and the start of the EBA (2253-2146 calBC). Moreover, the start and end of the Bell Beaker phase were determined at respectively 2810-2475 calBC and 1981-1628 calBC (Fig. 3). These results led the authors to place the boundary between CA and EBA around 2200 and to hypothesise a possible partial coexistence between Bell Beaker and Polada settlements, especially before the spread of the pile-dwelling phenomenon which can be dated from 2070 to 2030 BCE calBC ± 10 y (first felling dates in the regional tree ring sequence
This paper proposes a Bayesian model for the 14C chronology of Sicilian Early and Middle Bronze Age, with a specific focus on the northeastern sector of the island. Building on the available 14C determinations, the model allows addressing a number of chronological questions left open in literature, making a first step toward an independent absolute chronology. The analysis put the start of the earlier part of Early Bronze Age (Capo Graziano 1-Casa Lopez phase) between 2400-2175 cal BC, and the end at about 1960 cal BC. The advanced stage of the same period (Capo Graziano 1-Filo Braccio phase) is likely to have started and ended around 1960 and 1730 cal BC respectively. The model indicates that the time slot with the highest posterior probability for the start of the Middle Bronze Age-Milazzese (Portella phase) is between 1490 and 1460. This turns up to be earlier than held to date. Notably, the model enables for the first time to bracket the development of the later stage of Early Bronze (Capo Graziano 2-M. di Capo Graziano phase) between 1730 (end of Filo Braccio phase) and 1490/60 cal BC (start of Middle Bronze Age-Portella phase). The latter date is earlier than usually held for the end of Capo Graziano 2. The existence of a narrow gap between the end of the latter and the start of Portella phase is tentatively proposed only on stratigraphic grounds. Further, the analysis enables for the first time to pinpoint and quantify the lag that is likely to have existed between the start of those Sicilian prehistoric phases and the appearance of Late Helladic imports. The comparison with the Aegean 14C Bayesian chronology indicates that a time lag (about 45 yr) is likely to have occurred between the start of Capo Graziano 2 and of the Late Helladic period. A time lag between 20 and 70 yr is likely to have existed between the start of the Sicilian Middle Bronze Age and of the Late Helladic III. Arguments tentatively supporting the narrower interval are also discussed.
The transition between Copper and Bronze Ages in Southern Italy and Sicily
in: H.H. Meller, R. Risch, R. Jung, H. W. Arz (eds.), 2200 BC - Ein Klimasturz als Ursache für den Zerfall der alten Welt? │2200 BC - A climatic breakdown as a cause for the collapse of the old world? , 2015
The date of 22oo BC corresponds conventionally in Italy and Sicily to the transition between the Copper and the Bronze Ages. The discussion will proceed by considering three major geographic sub-areas – south-western Italy, corresponding to Campania and Calabria, south-eastern Italy, corresponding to Apulia and Basilicata, and Sicily – and a subdivision into four main chronological phases. The first phase, corresponding to an early stage of the Late Copper Age dating roughly from 28oo/275o BC to 26oo/255o BC, sees the diffusion of the Laterza Culture groups across southern Italy and the Malpasso Culture in Sicily (the latter, probably with an earlier origin, is sometimes associated with the so-called Sant’Ippolito painted style). The second phase, corresponding to an advanced stage of the Late Copper Age, probably starts around 26oo/255oBC and ends somewhere around 235o/23ooBC. During this period, processes of local evolution and changes in previous traditions are seen, together with a limited introduction of the »international« Bell Beaker Culture group (fairly common only in western Sicily). The third phase, corresponding to a final stage of the Late Copper Age, spans from 235o/23ooBC to 215o/21ooBC. This is a phase of transition, during which we see a disappearance or a marked weakening of older traditions (Laterza and Malpasso), and the spread of new Culture groups and ceramic styles. In southern Italy, Cetina-related cultural elements of trans-Adriatic origin spread, and in Sicily, besides some artefacts relating to a late Beaker tradition and a very limited presence of Cetina-related pottery (sometimes called »Thermi Ware«), painted potteries of the so-called Naro-Partanna style appear, a style preluding to the subsequent Castelluccio Culture group. The fourth phase corresponds to the Early Bronze Age, beginning around 215o/21ooBC and ending at approximately 165oBC. This period is characterised by regional long-lasting archaeological facies like Palma Campania, prov. Naples, in Campania (evolving within the Protoapennine Culture group in a late phase of the Early Bronze Age); Cessaniti, prov. Vibo Valentia, in Calabria; Capo Graziano 1, prov. Messina, in the Aeolian Islands, and Castelluccio, prov. Syracuse, in Sicily (coexisting with the Rodì-Tindari-Vallelunga Culture group). Phenomena of depopulation and cultural discontinuity are attested in peninsular Italy, and mainly correspond to the earliest phase of transition from the Late Copper Age to the Early Bronze Age, dating to the late 22nd century BC and early 21st century BC.
This paper deals with radiocarbon determinations from the Middle Bronze Age site of Portella on the island of Salina (Aeolian Archipelago, Italy). The available 14C evidence is taken into account, in a simple Bayesian model, in order to explore the issue of the absolute chronology of both the settlement and the stage of the local cultural sequence to which Portella belongs. A high date is proposed for the start of the Aeolian (and Sicilian) Middle Bronze Age: 1556–1422 cal BC (95.4% confidence), with a a most likely (modal) date of about 1450 cal BC. Further, the analysis suggests that the Portella phase is likely to have been a very short one, with a span of 0–65 yr (68.2%) or 0–131 yr (95.4%). The archaeological implications are explored. The relation of these results to the evidence of ceramic phasing is also considered. Since Aegean datable ceramic imports are documented in Aeolian/Sicilian Middle Bronze Age contexts, the connection between Portella’s chronology and the absolute dating of one of the Aegean phases (namely, Late Helladic IIIA1) is also investigated.