Regional diversity and connectivity during the Italian Bronze Age: the case study of Molise.

The Italian Bronze Age is traditionally pictured as a period of cultural uniformity, which abruptly ends during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, when numerous regional groups develop distinct material cultures. This traditional view has been questioned and it is proposed that the change from uniformity to diversity developed gradually instead of rapidly. This thesis tests the new model by conducting a comparative analysis on the pottery, exotic goods and metal objects from four Bronze Age settlements in the region that is now known as Molise: Fonte Maggio, Masseria Mammarella, Rocca di Oratino and Monteroduni. Little research has been conducted in this region in the past and could offer fresh insights in the discussion on regionalism versus uniformity. Barker studied two of the selected sites during the 1970s and this thesis uses several of Barker’s theories and methods. However, two central research themes, interconnectivity and social networks, are added to the theoretical...Show moreThe Italian Bronze Age is traditionally pictured as a period of cultural uniformity, which abruptly ends during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, when numerous regional groups develop distinct material cultures. This traditional view has been questioned and it is proposed that the change from uniformity to diversity developed gradually instead of rapidly. This thesis tests the new model by conducting a comparative analysis on the pottery, exotic goods and metal objects from four Bronze Age settlements in the region that is now known as Molise: Fonte Maggio, Masseria Mammarella, Rocca di Oratino and Monteroduni. Little research has been conducted in this region in the past and could offer fresh insights in the discussion on regionalism versus uniformity. Barker studied two of the selected sites during the 1970s and this thesis uses several of Barker’s theories and methods. However, two central research themes, interconnectivity and social networks, are added to the theoretical framework by discussing Broodbank’s perspective on the Mediterranean Bronze Age. Also, this thesis focuses on differences rather than similarities between the sites, as has been done in previous research on the Italian Bronze Age. The results of the comparative analysis indicate that both pottery assemblages and rare goods at all four sites differ. However, due to methodological problems, these differences are inconclusive to confirm regionalism, as it is known during the later Iron Age. Furthermore, the rare goods at the sites show that all four sites interacted with other regions, which contrasts with Barker’s theories on communication in Molise during the Bronze Age. The differences could indicate local preferences and could be interpreted as an initial phase in a more gradual development of regionalism. This would support the new model to a certain degree and it is evident that uniformity should no longer be the starting point in research on the Italian Bronze Age.Show less

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Regional diversity and connectivity during the Italian Bronze Age: the case study of Molise.