Abstract
Miniaturized bronze flasks represent a small portion of a wide metallurgical production that flourished in Sardinia (Italy) between the Final Bronze Age (FBA) and the Early Iron Age (EIA). They replicate a well-known and symbolic type of object, the pilgrims’ flask, common in all Europe and Mediterranean basin, and have but few archaeological parallels. For these reasons, their characterization can be considered important from an archaeological perspective. Three flasks, preserved at the Antiquarium Arborense museum (Oristano), were analyzed by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy, integrated by multispectral images. The samples, coming from illegal excavations, posed two problems: establishing their authenticity and investigating the alloy composition of such particular objects. All specimens presented a widespread degradation in the outer surface: XRF and Raman spectroscopy indicated the presence of copper oxides, calcium and copper carbonates deposits. The abscence of Zn, a clear marker of forgeries, was not detected by XRF. In two of the flasks, an unusual Sn content above 20%, was detected. For FBA and EIA, especially regarding southern Europe, Sn was extremely rare, and was possibly used with caution. Further results are presented herein.
Highlights
In the period between the Final Bronze Age and Early Iron Age in Sardinia, the Nuragic civilization was responsible for a large and diverse metallurgical production, mostly with bronze [1]
Bronze flask pendants are miniaturistic reproductions of similar Early Iron Age ceramic vessels [2,3,4,5] that replicate the basic characteristics of the pilgrim flask’ prototype: they have a flat-convex body with a truncated cone shape decorated with concentric grooves, four handles, and a long cylindrical neck surrounded by stylized straps that end with an original ring of suspension
Nineteen (19) miniature bronze flasks have been found in Sardinia and the Italian peninsula (Figure 1): one from an unknown site [4], one from Nughedu San Nicolò [2,3,6], one from Borore [2,3], two from the nuraghe Nurdòle-Orani [2,3], two from the sacred well of Su Tempiesu-Orune [2,3,7], one from the sanctuary of Su Monte-Sorradile [4], one from Mont’e Prama-Cabras [8], and four from the territory of Sinis [9], but without a proper archaeological context
Summary
In the period between the Final Bronze Age and Early Iron Age in Sardinia, the Nuragic civilization was responsible for a large and diverse metallurgical production, mostly with bronze [1]. Nineteen (19) miniature bronze flasks have been found in Sardinia and the Italian peninsula (Figure 1): one from an unknown site [4], one from Nughedu San Nicolò [2,3,6], one from Borore [2,3], two from the nuraghe Nurdòle-Orani [2,3], two from the sacred well of Su Tempiesu-Orune [2,3,7], one from the sanctuary of Su Monte-Sorradile [4], one from Mont’e Prama-Cabras [8], and four from the territory of Sinis [9], but without a proper archaeological context. Due to the relative rarity of these miniature bronze flasks, many questions remain open. Their use and importance within the Nuragic civilization and, second, their authenticity. The flasks were retrieved by the police and their authenticity and/or site of origin is unknown
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