Polished stone axes from Varna/Nössingbühel and Castelrotto/Grondlboden, South Tyrol (Italy)

Authors

Federico Bernardini, The 'Abdus Salam' International Centre for Theoretical PhysicsFollow
Angelo De Min, University of Trieste
Davide Lenaz, University of Trieste
Zsolt Kasztovszky, Magyar Tudomanyos Akademia, Centre for Energy Research
V Lughi, University of Trieste
V Modesti, University of Rome
Claudio Tuniz, University of WollongongFollow
U Tecchiati, Ufficio Beni archeologici

RIS ID

127144

Publication Details

Bernardini, F., De Min, A., Lenaz, D., Kasztovszky, Z., Lughi, V., Modesti, V., Tuniz, C. & Tecchiati, U. (2019). Polished stone axes from Varna/Nössingbühel and Castelrotto/Grondlboden, South Tyrol (Italy). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 11 (4), 1519-1531.

Abstract

A collection of polished stone axes from a late Neolithic site and an Early Bronze Age hill fort in South Tyrol (Italy) have been analysed through a multi-analytical approach, mainly based on non-destructive techniques (i.e. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and prompt gamma activation analysis) to identify the raw materials used in the same area during different periods and compare them with those in use in the surrounding territories. The analytical results suggest raw material exploitation strategies based on local or close sedimentary, metamorphic and magmatic rocks. Most of the artefacts are made from antigoritic serpentinite, whose origin is probably from Hohe Tauern (Austria) or related secondary deposits. These data confirm the importance of such raw material for the production of polished stone axes during recent prehistory and integrate the present knowledge about the distribution of antigoritic artefacts in north-eastern Italy and neighbouring countries.